DISABLED RIDING CENTRE LAUNCHES RESCUE APPEAL

 

The Riding for the Disabled Association’s Unicorn Centre which has been based in Hemlington, Middlesbrough for 26 years has launched an urgent appeal for £100,000 to help prevent it from the threat of closure.

 

The Unicorn Centre provides horse riding and therapy for hundreds of adults and young people from throughout the Tees Valley.  It has become the latest in a long line of charities to fall victim to the devasting effects of the Covid lockdowns and now the cost of living crisis.  

 

Since 1998, the Unicorn Centre has provided disabled and impaired people the opportunity to improve their physical and mental health through education and fun with horses. It has 85 volunteers, 9 members of staff, a team of learning support workers and 10 horses and ponies. It also hosts riding lessons, competitions and events for the local community. It relies solely on fundraising, donations and grants to provide these vital services. 

 

Although there is a long list of children and adults waiting for horse riding lessons, the Centre does not have sufficient funds to cope with the rising running costs.

 

Trustee Jackie Rubin said, “The Unicorn Centre has offered unique health, social and employment opportunities in our region for over quarter of a century. We have to save the Centre from closure, but it’s going to be a massive challenge.  If we can raise £100,000 it would give us the time to increase our activities, find more horses, carry out maintenance projects, apply for more grants and arrange fundraising events to get the Centre back on a more stable footing.  So we’re appealing to everyone to support us by making a donation to our appeal.

 

She continued, “As well as providing disabled riding lessons, the Centre reaches out to the community in many other ways. It offers  an award-winning Supported Volunteer Programme, regular sessions for people living with dementia, plus visits from our therapy pony.  There aren’t any other organisations offering these activities in this area and it will be devasting to all the participants and to our fantastic volunteer team if we cannot continue.  We really need everyone to rally round and help us.”

 

Donations to the Unicorn Centre appeal can be made by contacting the Centre on 01642 576222 or by their Just Giving platform on www.justgiving.com/page/rdaunicorncentre-future 

 

Further information and interviews: Jackie Rubin, Trustee 07825 249289.