A voluntary group which runs therapeutic horse-riding sessions for children with disabilities from local primary and secondary schools has been awarded the ultimate accolade – The King’s Award for Voluntary Service.
For more than 40 years, Forres Nairn & District Riding for the Disabled has delivered weekly term-time therapeutic sessions for children with disabilities, and also runs Tea With a Pony – pony grooming sessions especially designed for those with dementia or other cognitive impairment.
Volunteers
This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE and is one of 281 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year.
Their work, along with others from across the UK, reminds us of all the ways fantastic volunteers are contributing to their local communities and working to make life better for those around them.
Representatives will receive the award from the Lord-Lieutenant of Moray – Major General The Hon Seymour Monro CBE, LVO at the group’s AGM on Wednesday 20 November 2024.
In addition, two volunteers from the group will attend a garden party at Holyroodhouse in July 2025, along with other recipients of this year’s Award.
Purpose and direction
Emma Gregg, Chair, said: “I cannot put into words how delighted we are that our Group’s work has been recognised. This is the ultimate accolade not only for our current volunteers, but also those who have served the Group over the last 40 years, and in particular for those who had the foresight to establish the Group all those years ago.
“Our volunteers contribute in so many different ways – whether at the riding and grooming sessions, or behind the scenes on invaluable work, particularly raising our profile in the community and fundraising.
“Our volunteers tell us that volunteering for RDA has given them a real purpose and a new direction in life.
“They say that it is the best thing they have ever done as they gain a lot of satisfaction from seeing the smiles on the riders’ faces and helping them do things that no one ever thought they could do.
“The Kings Award for Voluntary Service allows us to celebrate their outstanding dedication and achievements.”
As a physiotherapy student in, probably, 1965, I was on placement in an Orthopaedic hospital near Bristol. I was fascinated by the use of this new idea, using ponies for the disabled. It is brilliant that it took off as it has done. I have seen the great work this local group is doing.