EVENING GAZETTE “YOUR SAY” COLUMN FOR WEDNESDAY 16 AUGUST 2023

 IT’S ALL ABOUT COMMUNITY

The summer holidays are in full swing and I hope you’re all managing to get a break at some point.

It’s all change here at the Centre as our schools have a break from their riding lessons, so we’re filling the gaps with lots of different activities such as Pony Care sessions for youngsters, and separate stable management mornings for our adult participants.

Some of our horses are going away on their holidays too – they love a change of scene and opportunities to hack out.

In the last two weeks of August we carry out our annual maintenance and deep-clean programme. We’re looking for local workplace teams to help us with a big clean, painting, tidying, gardening and field maintenance. And if any companies can help us with supplies of paint, varnish, brushes, cleaning materials, loppers and saws we’d be so grateful. Do get in touch if you can help as part of a team or as an individual.

Once again I’m shouting out a huge thank you to our supporters for their generous donations. The first goes to volunteer Dorothy who bought our therapy Shetland pony Acer a lovely rug to wear when he goes out on his trips. He adores going to visit children in schools and people in care homes where everyone loves engaging with him.  It’s very clear that this hands-on activity really benefits everyone’s well being.

My second thank you goes to all the cowboys at the Big D Country & Western Club in Cockerton who had a whip (!) round and raised over £200 for the Centre. This unexpected and very welcome donation will be put in the pot to help pay for the keep of our 15 horses and ponies.

And last, but not least, huge thanks to volunteers Alison and Deborah who with their team of spouses and friends cycled in May from Newcastle to Edinburgh. They raised over £900 in sponsorship for the Unicorn Centre which we’ve used to buy games equipment for our lessons and new specialist riding helmets. 

These fundraisers are all stars, and charities such as ours couldn’t carry on without their generosity. Maybe you could do something similar, make a donation to our Just Giving page RDA Unicorn Centre - JustGiving or buy us something from our Amazon Wish List https://amzn.eu/6ljBXxa

We currently have some vacancies on our Supported Volunteer Programme. They’re a great bunch of young people who carry out lots of volunteering and social activities at the Centre and in the community, supported by a caring and professional team of Support Workers. Do get in touch to find out more.

Date for your Diary: Companion Fun Dog Show on Sunday 24 September at the Centre.  Entries on the day from 11am. More updates on our Facebook Page @RDAUnicornCentre.

Thank you for your support.

Jackie, Chair of Trustees.  01642 576222.