Riding for Disabled seeks family help

Bay of Plenty Times reporter Amy McGillivray volunteering at Riding for the Disabled for Bay of plenty Times Gives Back.

Tauranga Riding for the Disabled are appealing for families to get involved with the horses and therapy riding sessions on Saturdays as a way to combine family time and giving back to the community.

Tauranga RDA provides therapy for over 100 clients a week and has fourteen horses on eighteen acres of land.

It runs six days a week from Monday to Saturday and is keen to hear from anyone who wants to get involved.

Tauranga RDA Chief Executive Officer Kat Macmillan said they were particularly in need of help on Saturdays.

"We need volunteers on all days but Saturdays in particular could appeal to parents who want to spend time doing something together with their child. Volunteering is a great opportunity to be together, doing something that helps the community. We are also keen to hear from teenagers from fourteen years and up that might want to join our Saturday group of teenage helpers. This group get the occasional reward riding lesson," she said.

"We'd love to hear from you if you think you can spare a few hours a week to help us whether it's a week day or a Saturday. And for teenagers, we know it's hard with Saturday sports but if it can work in their busy schedule, it promises to be a rewarding activity. It's a wonderful thing for young people to have on their CV . We even have accommodation for students wishing to do volunteer work placements here."