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SARAH LAKE is raising money for West Norfolk Riding For The Disabled Association,The Magpie Centre

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Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

This years event is the London tri! I am entered in the Sprint section, which involves the following;

750m Swim / 20km Bike / 5km Run

This involves swimming in the lovely London docks!..(Go a wetsuit).

I am again raising money for the local RDA centre;

I know from my own experience the difference it makes to riders lives. For some of our riders when they are steering and controlling their pony/horse it is the only opportunity they have to be out of a wheelchair and in control.

This year five of our riders made it through to the National RDA (Riding For the Disabled) championships to represent our group. For some of our riders competitions provide a challenge which they relish, whilst for others it is the therapeutic aspects of being around horses that they most enjoy.

Over the years riders get to know their pony/horse and real partnerships develop with several of our riders helping in the stables with looking after the horses. Riders get to bond with their ponies and it also teaches riders how to care for an animal. One of the riders Chris ( aged 13) describes this as 'It can make you happy just being around the ponies.' Moreover, our riders and their parents/carers get to know each other and friendships develop.

We are lucky to have a wonderful base near Downham Market where we can take riders and carriage drivers out for hacks in the countryside as well as using the indoor and outdoor arena for dressage lessons/ handy pony games and physio sessions in a safe enclosed environment.

Last year Princess Anne the patron of RDA visited the Magpie Centre to celebrate the input of one of our ponies Heidi and her long service to the group. Several of our ponies/ horses have been with the group for many years and some of them are animals that were rescued. All our ponies and horses seem to being able to gauge the behaviour that is needed for individual riders depending on their ability and co-ordination.

The Magpie Centre relies on an army of dedicated volunteers and trustees to make a huge difference to the lives of riders and carriage drivers that come to the centre. Any support for this group would be much appreciated and would be used to continue providing riding lessons and Saturday sessions for our riders and their siblings. These sessions require funding to cover staff costs, volunteer expenses, running cost of our ponies/horses ( including feed, tack, bedding, vet, blacksmith, insurance etc). As winter approaches the cost of feeding and stabling our horses increases substantially. To feed hay and haylage and use shaving as bedding costs us £1520 for three months.

130 bales of bedding at £6.50 = £845

100 bales of hay at £3.50= £350

13 bales of haylage at £25 =£325

Total feed costs and bedding for three months in the winter £1520

Any donation towards these costs would be much appreciated and help allow us to continue to provide fun, exercise and learning for our disabled riders at the Magpie Centre.

If you would like any further information on the charity please do not hesitate to contact me.

http://www.rda-westnorfolk.org.uk/index.php

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