Golfers raise thousands for Somerby riding school charity

The Mount Group RDA, which is based in Newbold Lane in Somerby, needs around £30,000 a year to continue to offer therapeutic sessions for 40 children and young adults every week.

So organisers were delighted to receive the contribution from Birstall Golf Club, which was raised by members through playing tournaments and selling homemade cakes.

Kay Drake, a fundraiser for the riding school, said: “The people who ride our horses are encouraged to make a small donation to the charity but we end up £40 to £50 down on every ride.

“We don’t receive funding from anyone so this money from the golf club is very welcome indeed.”

Horses are hired for the sessions, which are attended on four days of the week by clients mainly from Melton and Rutland. Some are pupils at Birch Wood Special School.

The centre has been adopted as an official charity of this year’s edition of the Ruland to Melton CiCLE Classic next month.

Kay added: “We have some severely disabled young adults and children who find riding horse really beneficial.

“It helps them with core strength, balance and concentration to keep going in a straight line.

“One young lady we had the other day was really shaking beforehand and it took her half-an-hour to be able to get on the horse.

“But the achievement she has made by being able to get on a horse and what it does for her is really remarkable.”