We're spreading some kindness to a riding group in Gloucestershire which had some bad luck this year. The Kitty Barron Riding for the Disabled Group is one of the oldest in the country, yet also one of the smallest with just four ponies.
They receive no government funding and are often overlooked for local funding due to their size, yet their dedicated volunteers provide free weekly sessions to local disabled children and special schools, which acts as part of their therapy sessions as well as being fun.
Although the group fundraises all year to ensure they have enough money for their running costs, they have little left to cover unforeseen events – such as the one that hit them earlier this year.
Bad weather damaged the electrical hoist system, used to lift physically disabled riders onto the horses.
It is one of only two hoists in Gloucestershire, and when it is out of action, many disabled riders in the area are unable to have their weekly therapy sessions. The group needed £4,500 to fix the hoist, and have worked so hard to try to raise the funds needed to get their riders back in the saddle.
And with money raised by Gala Bingo, we’re very happy to help cover the cost.