Six dedicated volunteers from Aztec’s Guernsey office have been supporting the Guernsey Group of the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) through weekly sessions since 2019, providing at least two volunteers each Thursday lunchtime to lead ponies or be side walkers for the rides.
Of these six, five met to celebrate the RDA riders’ progress in a special mini cross-country event, held on 26 November, 2020. The special event was the penultimate ride of the year for the Guernsey Group of the RDA. Sarah Felmingham, Jess Gamblin, Hannah de Jersey, Robyn Tostevin and Maddie Wilson attended the event at La Carriere Stables.
Eight riders, mostly from Le Murier School, undertook a challenging course of obstacles, and received colourful rosettes upon completion.
Lady Kathryn Corder, wife of Lieutenant-Governor Vice Admiral Sir Ian Corder, and the patron of the charity attended the pre-Christmas event joined Aztec’s volunteers.
Aztec volunteers, Rob Jones, RDA riders and Lady Corder, Patron of the Guernsey branch of RDA
RDA offers adults and children with physical and learning disabilities the opportunity to experience the benefits and pleasure of riding, including freedom of movement, building confidence, physiotherapy and a sense of personal achievement.
Each RDA rider requires three volunteers to make sure they are safe so having enough support during the training sessions is imperative for the success of the charity’s work.
The Guernsey RDA accommodates approximately 40 adults and children at La Carriere and Melrose Farm weekly and works closely with special needs schools and the physiotherapy department who select riders they feel would benefit from the experience.
Rob Jones, with Aztec Volunteers (L-R) Jess Gamblin, Hannah de Jersey, Robyn Tostevin, Maddie Wilson and Sarah Felmingham (Grace Jenkinson couldn’t make that date) photo cred: Guernsey Press
To find out more about the Guernsey branch of RDA please visit https://www.rda.gg/