Luka Roylance tests a seat in the four-wheel buggy of the Forbes RDA offering people in wheelchairs the opportunity to go for a ride.
The Forbes branch of Riding for the Disabled (RDA) is ready to get back into the saddle at a new venue.
The COVID recess is over and RDA Secretary Kylie Ryan encouraged new volunteers and committee members to join up to get this important service in support of the disabled up and running again.
RDA (NSW) is a volunteer organisation providing equine assisted activities for people with disabilities to develop and enhance abilities. Kylie said the community had been very supportive of them in the past few years contributing time and donations.
The Forbes branch, open to participants and volunteers from the whole region, will be hosting an information evening on Wednesday, 5th May at Club Forbes at 6pm.
The information evening will be followed by the annual general meeting at 6:30pm with all seven committee positions open. The Forbes branch would not be able to go forward without a committee, and Kylie urged people to step forward.
She also encouraged anyone who had experience working with horses to come along and help out. “The kids just love the experience of riding a horse. They not only benefit from it, but get so much enjoyment out of it too.”
Kylie said Parkes High School had shown great interest in bringing their students over for sessions. The Forbes branch will run sessions once per week according to interest and demand.
RDA offers children with a range of disabilities the opportunity to learn to ride and work with horses. The Forbes steering committee was first formed in 2013, and had since collected enough money to purchase a wheel chair accessible four-wheel buggy to extend its range of services.
If you would like to get involved or find out more information about the Forbes RDA branch contact Kylie Ryan on 0459 960 376. Also visit the Forbes branch facebook page and RDA NSW website at rdansw.org.au.