The Fenland Group of the Riding for the Disabled Association has been supported in its mission to give riding lessons to disabled children thanks to a donation of £500 from Freemasons of the Alexandra Lodge at Long Sutton.
More than 40 years of commitment by volunteers and donors have meant the charity has taught more than 1,000 children to ride, says the Group’s Chair Paul Brett. “The group is not a riding school. We do not own our own ponies or facilities, and everything we do is enabled by the generosity of our volunteers and supporters. Over the past 40 years the group has taught well in excess of 1,000 children to ride, and this donation will help the group to continue to provide the children with their riding sessions. We are extremely grateful to member of the Alexandra Lodge for their generosity.”
The Fenland Group of the RDA was created in 1981 by Elizabeth Dixon-Spain and Jane Carter, who wanted to give disabled children the opportunity to share in the joy of riding. The group gives children from The Tulip Academy in Spalding free riding lessons each week during the spring, summer and autumn terms.
From those early days Liz and many others are still very actively involved with the group more than 40 years later. The group is a registered charity, and relies solely on its volunteers and donations to keep running. Currently there are about 30 volunteers who regularly give up their Wednesday mornings to help, and some of them also bring their ponies for the children to ride.
In the picture Alexandra Lodge Master Richard Diggle and his predecessor Chris Woodrow presented the cheque to Paul Brett watched by founder Liz Dixon-Spain and volunteers Andrea Brett, Sara Woodrow, Ginny Gray, Fiona Ralling, and Jane Goodger – together with ponies Cashew and Molly.
The Freemasons’ Provincial Charity Steward Paul Ellis said: “There are 76 Freemasons’ Lodges in Lincolnshire, each of which gives £500 to the good cause of its choice from a central ‘pot’ called the New Provincial Benevolent Fund, meaning £38,000 is given every year to enhance the quality of life in our communities.”
