A Helping Hand for Moorabbin’s Helping Horses
August 28, 2020
Supporting our local communities – Riding for the Disabled, Moorabbin.
Many charities and volunteer organisations have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, and our friends and neighbours at Riding for the Disabled (RDA) in Moorabbin are no exception.
People of all abilities are encouraged to ride.
RDA is a volunteer-run organisation that enables people of all ages and abilities to ride a horse. They provide horse-related therapeutic programs and activities to help improve the quality of life for more than 1100 Victorians with disabilities every year. RDA’s programs support disabled children and young adults to achieve increased mobility, social interaction and support, cognitive development, independence, respite and overall wellbeing.
When Victoria went into lockdown, RDA Moorabbin was forced to close and the charity’s regular income of donations and riding fees was instantly cut off. Volunteers scrambled to raise the funds needed to feed, shelter and care for its eight horses over the coming uncertain months.
RDA Moorabbin’s horse therapy is an invaluable program to service the disabled.
Maintaining horses is a costly exercise at the best of times. RDA had a challenge ahead of them with substantial bills for veterinary care, training, agistment fees, farrier visits and the increasing cost of feed due to the bushfires driving up the cost of hay. To reduce the volunteer contact during lockdown the horses were sent to Tooradin Estate, where they usually spend the Christmas break. RDA Moorabbin needed urgent donations to continue to care for its very special horses.
“We are very grateful to our long-term supporters for not deserting us in our time of need.”
RDA Moorabbin President Jane Barker (L) and Vice President Judy Bell (R) accepting a cheque from Cara Spencer on behalf of Alex Fraser.
Jane said RDA had relied on donations and their limited financial reserves to get through this rough patch.
“We’re really lucky to have Alex Fraser’s ongoing financial support. We do have some emergency funds, but it’s a relief to know that we now have the funds to cover 20 weeks of feed for our horses.”
Plans for the horses to return to Moorabbin post-lockdown are in place, and therapy riding is scheduled to recommence in 2021.
If you would like to lend a helping hand and donate to RDA Moorabbin please email rdavmoorabbin@gmail.com and they will forward their bank account details. All donations over $2.00 are tax-deductible.
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