2019: Another fantastic year for Horsley & Bookham RDA

It has been a busy year at Horsley and Bookham Riding for the Disabled, by the time the bongs chime on New Years Eve we will have provided over 1,350 rides, to children as young as four, up to young adulthood. Our riders have a full range of physical and learning disabilities including those with Autism, Down's Syndrome, Spina Bifida, Dyspraxia and Cerebral Palsy. ​ Each week, with the assistance of coaches and volunteers, our riders enjoy the horse-riding experience working with one of the 13 horses and ponies at Wyvenhoe. This provides them with the chance to be independent, to feel a sense of achievement and smiles on their faces! ​ This year, in addition to their weekly sessions our riders have undertaken a Countryside Challenge across all seven groups, and a dressage day. We also were pleased to help the YMCA, in providing a one off session for some of their young adults. We also held a trial session with Dyscover, a charity that works with people who have Aphasia, a disability that effects speech and language often caused by a stroke or brain injury. A great opportunity for eight adults to experience horse-riding, some for the very first time! ​ As you know, the charity is 100% voluntary led and funded, and we are totally reliant on the local community to help us raise the funds needed to keep the charity going. 2019 has been another year of incredible efforts from our volunteers, to raise funds through cash collections, quizzes, race nights, community talks, school fairs and fetes and Christmas cards! On top of this we have been incredibly lucky to receive support from The Co-Op in Bookham as well as several Waitrose stores through their Community Matters Scheme, collection pots in local businesses, a third year of fantastic support from Squires West Horsley, support from Shere Hill Climb, The Plough in Effingham, Bookham Bowls Club, Clandon Regis Golf Club and Russell & Co, AVS Fencing Ltd (South East) and Wellers Headleys. ​ Horsley and Bookham RDA are making a difference on a daily basis to the health and wellbeing of so many children and young adults, many of whom, do not have the opportunity to participate in a sport, be part of a team or feel a sense of achievement. We can only provide these opportunities because of the generosity of our supporters, and for this we are incredibly grateful. ​ A huge thank on behalf of us all who are involved with Horsley and Bookham RDA for all of your continued support