Richmond Riding for the Disabled (RDA) has secured enough funding to keep operating until Christmas, thanks in part to a generous anonymous donation that has given the charity more time to find a longer-term funding solution.
At its Champion Rd facility, about 80 riders with varying disabilities and challenges attend classes every week, and in April the charity told Waimea Weekly it only had funding for a few months.
Since then, there has been a flurry of donations, including the anonymous gift that administrator Jenny Stebbings says brought a few tears.
“It warms the cockles of your heart,” she says. “I just about climbed into my computer when I saw the money there. There are some truly amazing people out there.”
Then there was Enner Glynn School that raised just over $900 through a cookie sale and mufti day.
In the past, Richmond RDA had reserves to help cover operating costs, but those reserves have now been exhausted. Jenny says clients pay a fraction of the actual cost of running the charity, which includes 10 horses, and many could not afford to pay more.
“We don’t want to make our term fees too high, because we don’t want to exclude people who need us. We’re not a riding school where we can charge high prices.”
Meanwhile, the team is working on a long-term funding strategy, which Jenny says has become more challenging. The charity applies for numerous grants, with increasing competition for the funding available, although it recently secured an $18,000 grant from Rātā Foundation.
It’s also a community for families and riders, including friends Jack Roberts and Anna Welland who started life in the same special care baby unit and have had weekly riding sessions together for about 20 years.
Jack’s mother, Sue Roberts, says horse riding at RDA continues to help her 23-year-old son with his mobility, speech and social life.
“It’s the highlight of his week. It’s quite a social group for the parents as well – it’s support.”
Likewise, Anna’s mother, Rose Welland, says the weekly riding sessions don’t just help her daughter physically, but socially.
“Those with special needs don’t always get the privilege of friends and building that bond.”
This Saturday, 8 August, the charity will be in the Richmond Mall to raise awareness about its funding plight, as Jenny says many people probably don’t know RDA exists, tucked away at the end of Champion Rd.
“We’re a bit invisible here.”
The local vintage car club will also hold a fundraising event at the facility in the near future, while the charity will approach local businesses for ongoing support.
“It’s a little bit scary. It’s not only staff who would lose jobs, but it’s the impact on the 80 riders who come here.”
A Givealittle page remains active and the charity has launched a website, Richmond-for-the-disabled.raiselysite.com, to encourage people to sign up for affordable monthly donations.
“Even $5 to $10 a month, it all adds up.”
