Disabled horse riders received new helmets as AFM Guernsey announced the Guernsey group of Riding for the Disabled (RDA) as its charity partner for 2016.
The gift is the first in a long list of initiatives that we have planned for the charity this year, including fund raising events, practical assistance with DIY, building recreational games for the children to use during their lessons, and hands-on staff involvement with assistance from selected trained members of staff during riding lessons at both Otterbourne Stables and La Carriere Stables.
Jenny Hamon, chairman of RDA Guernsey, said: ‘We are absolutely thrilled to have been chosen as AFM’s charity partner for 2016 and we are so grateful that they are able to offer such a fantastic amount of help, from this wonderful donation which has been put towards the purchase of new helmets for our riders through to staff involvement. The rest of the funds will be spent on other crucial pieces of equipment and clothing throughout the year’.
The aim of the RDA is to offer adults and children the opportunity to experience the therapeutic benefits of the horses movement and the pleasure that riding gives. These benefits include freedom of movement, gaining of confidence, relationship building, physiotherapy and a sense of personal achievement.
Three members of the AFM staff have now undertaken the necessary training to allow them to assist as side walkers and lead rein walkers which means they will be able to give hands on assistance and become actively involved with some of the riding therapy sessions.