Dear Riders/Helpers/Carers

As you know, we are always trying to find new ways to fund raise for the group and we have recently registered with a website called Easy Fundraising, which will donate a small percentage to the group if you shop on-line via their site. There is a huge selection i.e. Marks and Spencers, Ebay, Argos, Amazon etc and as long as you click into their site and sign on before you purchase, we are guaranteed the percentage offered. It is very easy to use and you just follow their links. Pass it on to all your friends and family and then hopefully we can raise some funds quite easily! Please register at their web address:

www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/sdrd

Helper's Evening

We had a very enjoyable event at the Lopes Arms, Roborough in October.

Thank you to all the helpers who attended and a big thank you for all the hard effort you have put in through out the year to support our riders. We couldn't do it without you.

The Lopes Arms provided us with a very nice buffet, which was enjoyed by all.

Due to the success of the evening, we hope to hold this event again next year to show our appreciation to you, the Helpers.

Thank you from the Committee and the Riders.

.

Handy Pony Evenings

We had two very successful evenings for our Handy Pony Event.

Luckily the weather held out for both of them and each rider enjoyed receiving a rosette at the end of their ride, followed by drinks and snacks for all.

The raffles raised a very generous amount of £67.05.

After expenses taken out we made a profit of £48.18

A special thank you to Lo for donating cakes on both evenings.

Thank you to everyone who donated prizes. Also thank you to all the volunteers and helpers who worked very hard to make the rides ‘different’ and ‘unique’ from our usual evenings.

South Dartmoor RDA Barn Dance - What a hoot!

On Friday 17th June 2011, we held a barn dance at the Weston Mill Oak Villa Sports & Social Club, Plymouth

Martin the caller tried with great spirit to control a rowdy crowd of about 90 people and get them moving in time and co-ordination with the music. Let's just say he was crying with laughter along with the rest of us. Watch a video on you tube

I think we all agree a great evening was held and with everyone's support we managed to raise an amazing -

£557.61

A big thank you to Martin, the staff at the social club, Ginsters and everyone who donated raffle prizes.

The committee can assure you that all the proceeds will be ploughed back in to the riders, as that is what the RDA is about.

More pictures....

The New Mounting Block

The above picture shows one of our riders using the new mounting block. This has been installed after support from our recent donations. Thank you to all who have helped us in this fund raising appeal.

A Big Thank You

After a recent telephone call, we would like to say a big thank you to 'The George and Margaret Trotter Charitable Trust' for their kind donation to the group of £750.

This donation will be used to finance the purchase of new hats and stirrups for the next season to continue the high standards set by the group to ensure the riders have an enjoyable and safe ride.

Congratulations to Pauline

A PLYMOUTH woman who has helped take disabled people horse riding for more than 30 years is this month's Gold Star Award winner.

Pauline Whitfield, 67, said she would accept the award, sponsored by bus company First Devon and Cornwall, on behalf of all the volunteers at South Dartmoor Riding for the Disabled.

The charity gives disabled people of all ages a chance to enjoy horse riding through weekly classes at Bickleigh Barracks.

Mrs Whitfield, from Crownhill, said horse riding benefits disabled people both by building up strength and providing an experience where they can get away from their wheelchair or crutches.

The group requires a large number of volunteers because the riders have to be accompanied by up to three able-bodied helpers, for reasons of health and safety.
Click here!

Mrs Whitfield started helping out at Dartmoor Riding for the Disabled 31 years ago, when her daughter Tracy attended the group.

Mrs Whitfield said horse riding helped her daughter to make a full recovery, and now Tracy also volunteers for the group.

Mrs Whitfield is a member of the charity's committee and carries out fundraising activities as well as having an organisational role.

She said: "When they are up there on horses they are a different person to somebody in a wheelchair or walking with sticks, and they all thoroughly enjoy it and have a good rapport trying to out-do each other.

"We also have a gymkhana and barbecue every year, that's very competitive, within safety limits."

The disabled riders group meets at the riding school in Bickleigh Barracks on Tuesday evenings.

The charity provides two groups of riders with an hour-long session. The same two groups enjoy a whole season riding together, from April to the end of September.

Although the charity takes a considerable amount of her time, Mrs Whitfield said she gets a lot out of it as well.

"It's very rewarding because I know a lot of the people who have come through the courses," she said.

"It's not something I could just give up. I suppose it's the children."

Mrs Whitfield was nominated for the Gold Star Award by Margaret Williams, from Efford.

Mrs Williams, 70, said: "It is only a small group but Pauline works tirelessly for the disabled children."

She said Mrs Whitfield has also taken part in activities such as the Race for Life and The Midnight Walk for St Luke's Hospice, as well as arranging teas for Peverell Park Bowling Club.

"If anybody deserves a Gold Star, she does," Mrs Williams said.

Mrs Whitfield insisted she was just one of many who work hard to make the disabled riding programme possible, but was happy to accept the award on behalf of everyone involved with the charity.

Bill Martin, editor of The Herald, said: "South Dartmoor Riding for the Disabled is an extraordinary organisation, and the volunteers who run it thoroughly deserve this award.

"Mrs Whitfield's long service to charity is exceptional."

Marc Reddy, managing director of First Devon and Cornwall, said: "Well done Pauline, your tireless work to bring joy and happiness into the lives of others deserves recognition; you are clearly very worthy of this Gold Star Award, congratulations."

South Dartmoor RDA Barbeque

On the 6th July 2010, this year we were successful at holding the barbeque on our first attempt. This has been the first time this has happened for many years. Although it became a little chilly towards the end of the evening, I know all the riders had a lovely time, you can just tell by their happy faces and Laura kept talking about it on the way home.

This was a very well supported event and we would like to thank all the riders, helpers and family members for attending and making it such a fun evening.

A big thank you to chefs 'Frank and Andy' for delicious bacon sandwiches, burgers and sausage baps and of course their wonderful support staff serving up the food and drinks.

The riders are to be congratulated on their riding skills demonstrated with their helpers, with the musical ride and well done to Lin and Jodie for arranging this. The riders certainly deserved their rosettes and certificates.

A big thank you to everyone who donated raffle prizes. These prizes helped to raise £82.50 from the raffle takings.

Also this year the stall made £27.20, with donations and refreshments making £69.65.

Overall with expenses taken out, we raised -

£92.12

Hopefully we will have some nice weather over the next few weeks so the riders can have some more rides before the end of this season.