Help us secure the future of Park Lane Stables for disabled participants
Charity No: 1161306
Many thanks to our friends and sponsors:
Media enquiry? Please e-mail Paul: Paulbursche1 [at] gmail.com
Park Lane Stables RDA (Riding for the Disabled) is a small charity and has been a key part of the Teddington community for many years, providing much-needed therapy and happiness to hundreds of local children and adults with (and without) disabilities and mental health challenges every year.
The landlord has told us that he will not be renewing our lease which ends on 31 May 2021 as he wishes to sell the property. We urgently need to raise £1M so we can buy the stables. They will then be 100% owned by the registered charity Park Lane Stables RDA 1161306 and be part of the wider RDA family.
This will secure our future in the long-term. With the money we save from the cost of the lease we will be able to provide more lessons at a subsidised rate and invest in vital therapy equipment.
The stables have a cottage which will become assisted living for those with additional needs so they will be in the heart of the community and living with the horses.
In a non Covid year we provide 3000 sessions of therapeutic riding including hippotherapy and carriage driving. We have a huge waiting list of adults and children with disabilities in need of our services, the demand is most definitely there!
Research commissioned by the RDA highlights the benefits: participants show huge improvements in their ability to communicate, a marked physical improvement as well as an increased ability to build relationships.
Enjoying some grooming time with Dougie
We need to stay in our current home so our participants without sight can get to us on public transport. If we were tucked away in a different location those that need us most would not be able to reach us and would become more socially isolated.
We are a social hub for many with additional needs who come to the stables for a horsey fix, be that riding, carriage driving, grooming, jobs around the yard or just sharing secrets with their trusted 4 legged friend.
'We call ourselves the community stables because we’re here for everybody.The same way that anybody can use the library or the swimming pool, we are here for everybody that wants to get involved.' Natalie O'Rourke, Manager
'Park Lane is like a bubble of happiness.' Christian, 14
'Run on kindness and inclusion, everyone who is part of it is a better person for it.' Vicky, 32
At Park Lane Stables we employ six disabled people, who would lose their jobs if we were forced to close. Employment opportunities like these don't come around often and won't easily be replaced, which is why we need to stay.
During the first lockdown our community couldn't come to us, so we decided to to come to them. We visited those who were shielding or self-isolating in their homes to put a smile on their faces. Which is really what we as a community stables are all about, plus the ponies got to eat some grass!
Annie's Whizz visiting a boy on his birthday who was shielding
Whizz spreading some local cheer during lockdown
If we are successful we would like to thank every person that supports us by inviting you to the stables for a pony meet and greet.
This is an 'All-or-Nothing' campaign, so if we don't achieve our target all your pledges will be returned to you at the end of the campaign. All funds are held securely by Crowdfunder for the duration of the campaign.
Natalie and everyone at Park Lane Stables
Charity No: 1161306
Licenced by London Borough of Richmond upon Thames No: AW/00002
