A CHARITY that helps disabled children and adults by teaching them to ride horses has received a £200 boost.

The Riding for the Disabled Association, which aims to provide therapy, achievement and enjoyment to people with disabilities, received the donation through the Community Matters token scheme in Waitrose, Chippenham.

Hampsley Hollow RDA, near Heddington, Calne, runs lessons every week for disabled people and needs around £11,000 a year to operate.

Volunteer Tracy Simms said: “Hampsley Hollow RDA would like to thank the people of Chippenham and Waitrose for their kind donation.

“The children get so excited and fall in love with the ponies we have. It’s really enjoyable for them we play games and it’s a really happy time.

“The ponies we have are very special, they’re very quiet and calm, some of the children struggle every day but when they come here they enjoy themselves so much making a connection with the animals."

“A lot of them can’t participate in sport, this is a physical activity which they can enjoy, horse riding is quite an expensive sport so this is a big opportunity that they would not be able to have otherwise.”

The RDA runs multiple lessons every week with volunteer instructors and ride walkers and are always looking for volunteers to help with the lessons.

For more information contact Cathy on (01380) 723606.