Nairnshire horseriding charity celebrates successful year as new chair steps in
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AN accessible horseriding charity has welcomed a new chairperson as it looks back on what has been a very positive year for the group.
The Forres, Nairn and District branch of Riding for the Disabled has been operating for almost 40 years.
At its AGM last month, the charity celebrated helping more than 60 children over the year, with a total of more than 700 riding sessions delivered.
It also celebrated 19 new volunteers joining the group to help deliver the sessions.
Sonia Howell, outgoing chairwoman, said: “This past year has been a much calmer and positive year, but still challenging for our fantastic group of volunteers.
“The statistics alone demonstrate not only the significant role we play in the lives of so many disabled children, but also the huge amount of work that is required of our group.
“The reality is that demand is far higher than we can meet – we could probably run four or five days a week if we had the funds and the volunteers.
“What has become even clearer and more prominent this year is just how wide we spread joy, happiness and pony magic.
“We see an immediate difference – the smiles on the children’s faces every Monday morning – the happy noises as they get back on the bus.
“But there is a significant ripple effect for families and friends.”
Incoming chairwoman Emma Gregg told the meeting: “Our activities rely on a large group of volunteers who attend on Monday mornings, come rain or shine.
“It was very gratifying that 19 new volunteers joined our group this year – and for that, we are very grateful.”
This year, the charity launched their its Tea with a Pony initiative to help people with dementia or other cognitive impairment.
“It is really something special to be part of – to see the smiles and the expression on the ladies’ faces as they wield their brushes,” Ms Gregg continued.
“The trustees over recent years have done an amazing job – I would like to thank them personally for the dedication they have shown – in particular, Sonia Howell and Julie Campbell, chair and vice-chair respectively – for steadying the ship, particularly through those hard Covid times and immediately thereafter.
“We will do our very, very best to emulate them.”
