East Park Riding for the Disabled Group

In December the St Silvans Area Charity were made aware that a local school they have helped in the past bring 12 children riding each week with East Park. Some of these children have high sensory needs and it was felt they could benefit from riding bareback but it needed to be as safe an experience as possible. Following some research by Lysa, who coaches the group, a solution was found – The Total Contact Saddle. The saddle was designed to give the closest possible contact with the horse whilst keeping the security of stirrups. The minimalist design strips away unnecessary padding, tree, cantle and pommel to deliver direct communication between horse and rider. The rider can now really feel the horse which is exactly the point for our pupils. The charity sprang into action and despite Christmas and the New Year getting in the way, ordered the saddle which arrived in time for the new term. The pupils were very excited to welcome Judy Whittaker and Alan Fyfe from the charity to their weekly lesson where the saddle was presented to Annie China-O’Neill.

Organiser of the MG Car Club, Sussex Wanderers, David Griffiths, today presented Sally O’Neill with a cheque for £1,600, collected from their members at their events during 2019.  The Car Club was started by David and his wife Ursula, with 15 members, and how holds monthly events attended by up to 70 people and 35 cars each time.  The format is to meet somewhere for coffee, drive a route of 25 to 30 miles, and end up at a pub or restaurant for lunch, following which a collection is made for charity.  East Park RDA has been lucky enough to be the recipient of funds raised for several years, but in 2019 the members obviously dug really deep into their pockets to raise this fantastic amount for us.  We are truly grateful to David and Ursula, and to all the members of the Club, for this very generous donation.

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Wade the friendly miniature donkey has arrived and is proving to be a great hit with all our riders. He is the most lovable little chap and already has the whole yard under his hoof!

Southern Sheeting Ltd, an East Grinstead based supplier of Roofing products, kindly sent us a group of volunteers on Tuesday 11th June, as part of their commitment to charities. Five guys and a girl turned up and in just a day repainted the whole of the indoor school and scrubbed down the Chamfron Building ready to paint. They were all really willing and cheerful, and quite prepared to turn their hands to anything.

Many hands make light work, and their help was truly invaluable.

Thank you guys and gals, and Southern Sheeting!

Rex Whittaker, the Mayor of East Grinstead, had chosen East Park RDA as one of his charities for his recently finished year of office. At a Town Council meeting on Monday 14th May, Mayor Whittaker presented James Baxter and Annie Appleyard with a cheque for £3,000 from funds raised by holding events during his year of office. Mayor Whittaker has been a great supporter of East Park RDA over the last year, frequently attending RDA events. We are enormously grateful for this support and donation.