Thanet Disabled Riding Centre Secures £4,200 Grant for Wheelchair-Accessible Ramp

THANET Disabled Riding Centre provides individually tailored riding and therapy sessions to children and adults with many different physical and mental disabilities, vulnerabilities and special educational needs.

They applied to Kent Community Foundation for funding towards the purchase of a disabled lift. Kent Community Foundation awarded the organisation £4,200 from The Albert Burns Children’s Trust Fund, one of more than ninety philanthropic funds that they manage.

The grant was spent on the construction and delivery of a portable wheelchair ramp to assist disabled children and adults in mounting ponies. Now that the new disabled lift is in use, Kent Community Foundation visited the charity to see the difference it has made to their riders and meet their four working ponies and Smartie their 36-year-old retired tea-drinking Shetland.

Robin Putney from the Thanet Disabled Riding Centre said:

“We had the pleasure of meeting Hannah Hayfield from Kent Community Foundation who helped with funding towards our amazing wheelchair-accessible ramp! Hannah got the chance to see the lift in full action with our wonderful rider Arthur and our pony Bertie! By having this equipment, Arthur is more independent when mounting Bertie for his ride! It also allows Arthur to be more self-confident during his ride too!”

Hannah Hayfield, Communications Manager, Kent Community Foundation said:

“The Albert Burns Children’s Trust Fund supports projects across Thanet and they were delighted to contribute towards the cost of the disabled lift, to help the Thanet Disabled Riding Centre to offer their services to clients that could not previously mount the ponies. It was great to meet the team of volunteers, hear about the wonderful service they provide and see Arthur enjoying his ride on Bertie.”

Richard Durrant, Boys & Maughan Solicitors’, Trustee for the Albert Burns Children’s Trust Fund said:

“Thanet Disabled Riding School’s role in supporting children is inspiring and an excellent fit for the aims of the Albert Burns Children’s Fund. The fund supports many fantastic charities and is always seeking new ways to support projects and initiatives that benefit children and young people in East Kent.”

To contact Kent Community Foundation about funding for charities and community groups call 01303 814500, email: admin@kentcf.org.uk or visit: www.kentcf.org.uk/funding.