EVENING GAZETTE “YOUR SAY” COLUMN: WED 15 NOVEMBER 2023

COME AND JOIN TEAM UNICORN!

Hello Everyone

I’m Pat White, the new Chair of Trustees at the Unicorn Centre and I’ll be keeping you updated with everything happening in this busy charity.

During Trustees’ Week last week we were celebrating the work of our Trustees who help to shape the future of the Unicorn Centre. This small volunteer team use their transferrable skills in areas such as strategic planning, finance and budgets, volunteering, HR, maintenance, grants and fundraising, activities and events and PR.  And they love to get hands-on with everything going on at the Centre as well.  Interested in finding out more about joining our board of Trustees? Call me on 07810 243945 for a chat.

Santa is coming to the Unicorn Centre on Sunday 3^rd December!  Children can ride one of our lovely ponies through a magical Christmas-themed course to meet him in his Grotto and his elves will be there too to help out.

Rides cost £10 per child or 2 for £19 and include a Christmas rosette and gift. Children must be 5 years and over to ride, and under 5s can visit Santa on foot for £5. This fundraiser is very, very popular, so early booking is advised, so give us a call on 01642 576222. 

Our Christmas Fair takes place the same day here at the Centre, Stainton Way, Hemlington, from 10am to 3pm. We’re delighted that the Rosewood Academy choir will be coming again to get us all in the Christmas spirit with lots of songs. There’ll be craft and gift stalls, a raffle, bottle stall and tombola.  Entry is free, so come along and buy lots of Christmas presents.  

Having trouble finding the perfect Christmas present?  How about adopting one of our amazing ponies?  For £3 a month your donation will help feed and support your adopted horse/pony. Your pack includes an adoption certificate, a card from your pony on your birthday, an invitation to visit your pony, and Chester, the cute cuddly horse. This makes a great gift!  Please choose your horse from our website photos and then contact the Centre on 01642 576222 to purchase.  Or maybe join someone in our 100 Club Lottery for £15 a year and be in with a chance of winning cash prizes.

Don’t forget too, that you can raise donations for us by doing all your online shopping in your favourite stores through  Easy Fundraising https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/. There are thousands of well-known stores involved and it is FREE to use.

And lastly, we’re keen to find new volunteers to help with lessons, in the yard, or in the office on Saturday mornings.  If you’re 14 and over, and have some time to spare, please get in touch.  It would make the difference to the lives of so many young people and adults.  You don’t have to be horsey, we’ll provide all the training you need.

Thank  you, Pat.