A horse-riding charity for disabled people is hosting family fun day event in Oswaldtwistle this weekend.
The charity fundraising event will start at 9am on Sunday, July 31, at the Britannia Inn Hotel in Haslingden Old Road, where you will have to opportunity to see Thwaites’s shire horses, as well as trying your luck in a raffle to win a spa voucher worth £130.
The day is all in aid of Phoenix Riding for Disabled Association (RDA). RDA are registered national charity, presided over by Princess Anne, that welcomes clients of all ages with mental, physical and learning disabilities to learn how to interact with and ride horses.
Phoenix RDA (a smaller branch of the national charity) fundraising event organiser Janet shared the immense benefits horse-riding can have.
She said: “It offers children and adults the opportunity to be outdoors and become as independent and confident as possible on horseback.
“It also gives wheelchair users a freedom they’ve never had before so it’s a massive confidence builder.
“Our volunteers are also part of a big team, like a family, and they get sense of helping somebody else.”
Based in Barnoldswick, the charity also provides clients with equine therapy – an alternative and specialised form of therapy that involves working in collaboration with a horse, a therapist and a horse expert.
The charity regularly hosts fundraising days which goes towards the organisation which works to support and improve the wellbeing of the disabled people who they help.
The money raised for the Sunday event is going towards the cost of fitting a hoist which Janet shared could cost a couple thousand pounds.
They’ve already received an overwhelmingly generous donation of £500 from Tailwaggers Kennels & Cattery who are dedicated to helping the charity.
Janet shared that without the kindness of regular local people and businesses, the RDA Phoenix would not be able to carry out the supportive work they do.
She said:
“Grace, the landlady at the Britannia Inn, is kindly letting us put the event on at her pub so a massive thank you to her as well as Kate at Pendle RDA.
“Our volunteers and riding instructor Jenni dedicate their free time to help the charity so we couldn’t do any of this without their help either.”
The upcoming event on Sunday will have an assortment of fun and entertaining activities to take part in including a tombola, Play Your Cards Right game, face painting, as well as refreshments and a sweet stall to keep you quenched and full of energy.
Local businesses will also be there with pop up stalls, one of which is Mia Jade Bakes – an Accrington retro cake business who’s reopening the shop this Saturday, July 30, and plenty more quirky indie businesses to discover.
Phoenix PDA is looking for more volunteers to support the cause. For more information visit their Facebook page.
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