Chairman’s charity choice helps fund holiday for disabled riders

Chairman’s charity choice helps fund holiday for disabled riders

Young disabled riders will enjoy a summer holiday in Wales thanks to a donation from former South Kesteven District Council Chairman Cllr Ian Selby.

Cllr Selby chose the Kesteven Rideability charity to receive funds raised during his year as Chairman, which finished in May.

He visited the Hough on the Hill centre to present the cheque for £5,022 to charity founder Karen Thompson, meeting riders, parents and volunteers.

The money is helping to cover costs for the five-day August trip to a specialist riding centre near Wrexham, explained Karen. 

Karen said: “It’s a godsend and we are incredibly grateful. We are taking six riders and ten volunteers, and this donation ensures that we can now pay for everything, plus some new polo shirts for our riders.” 

Thieves stole much of the charity’s saddlery in a burglary in May. The equestrian community rallied to provide replacements so the centre could re-start its riding sessions within ten days.

Cllr Selby said: “I chose Kesteven Rideability as my Chairman’s charity because their work transforms the lives of disabled children and adults across our local area, and they are a truly valued local charity. 

“The confidence, joy, and independence they help riders achieve is genuinely inspiring. From the very start we set ourselves a goal of raising £5,000, and I’m delighted that together we achieved it. 

“The organisers and volunteers do amazing work, are greatly valued, and thoroughly deserve the therapeutic holiday in Wales. It’s a trip that means the world to them, I am chuffed to bits for them, and I hope they have a fabulous time.”

Cllr Selby raised money via raffles and events including the Civic Service, Christmas Lunch, SKDC Civic Dinner, Chairman’s Charity Show, and Chairman’s Spud in the Pot competitions with other donations made by individuals and Downtown.