Wirral and Chester Riding for the Disabled
Registered Office: Sawyers Cottage, The Parade, Parkgate, Wirral, CH64 6RN
Glenny Richardson
Tel: 0151 339 2367
We are a locally based independent registered charity covering Wirral and a large area of Cheshire. We are entirely self financed with no Grant Aid from any quarter. Most years we fund approximately 4,500 rides which together with special equipment needed comes, again approximately, to about £25,000 per annum.
At the moment we have 241 regular riders who range in age from five to seventy five years old. The medical profession now recognizes that riding is enormously beneficial both mentally and physically - using more muscles even than swimming and at the same time builds confidence and is fun.
The riders have many different physical or learning difficulties, sometimes both, in varying degrees. They are mainly brought to us from Special Schools, Adult Day Centres and Residential Homes, but some are brought as individuals to evening rides by their parents and carers.
We work
from Foxes Riding School in Ledsham and Wirral Riding Centre in Ness during the term time on weekdays only, so the cost of the lessons taken by their qualified Instructors and the hiring of the horses is greatly reduced, as we are not there during their peak periods. All Helpers including the Physiotherapists are unpaid volunteers - there are 117 of us at the moment - it can be very labour intensive sometimes needing three Helpers per rider depending on their particular problem.
Some riders are in weelchairs, but with the aid of their ponies' legs the children can run like their friends (often a lot quicker!) and they can all, for once, be independent and look down on us instead of always having to look up. They can cross fields and go through woods.
Apart from their weekly rides there are also special events like gymkhanas, picnic rides when all the riders' families are included and once a year we take a group of adults on a riding holiday. For many it is the only physical sport that is possible. None of our riders ever seem to grumble and my goodness they have every reason for doing so. Life's not always fair is it?
All of us working with them find it a very humbling experience but enormously satisfying - we meet some wonderful people - not only the riders but their parents, teachers and carers. We aim to make the rides fun and constructive. There is always a lot of laughter.
Come to think of it, why not watch a ride and maybe join us? We always need Helpers. You wouldn't regret it. Just telephone Glenny Richardson on 0151 339 2367 and she will answer any queries. No qualifications are neccesary as we will do the necessary training.
A member of the Riding for The Disabled Association incorporating Carriage Driving. Registered Company No. 5010395. Registered under Charity No. 244108. President HRH The Princess Royal KG GCVO. |
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