Fundraising now takes centre stage for disabled riding centre after royal visit

But for the Leeds Area Group’s Riding For The Disabled Association, it’s now back down to business to seal crucial long-term funding.

Based at Gateon Hill Farm in East Keswick, the Leeds club received a visit from Her Royal Highness Princess Anne – the Princess Royal – on Wednesday afternoon.

The Princess Royal is the president of the Riding for the Disabled Association and thrilled over 100 people associated with the Leeds branch with her presence.

And deservedly so with the royal visit being the latest chapter in something of a recent rollercoaster ride for the Leeds organisation, who were heartlessly burgled last summer.

That robbery came amid settling into new premises in between Wyke and East Keswick with the club having moved from their old home at Bramley Gardens in Whinmoor.

But chairman Wenda Fletcher and company have bravely put that burglary behind them with the club left thrilled by this week’s visit ahead of what is financially a crucial year. The association currently houses six horses for the club’s members to ride and Fletcher says each costs £1,000 a year to keep. An organisation run solely by volunteers, the battle to seal crucial funding starts now.

“Last year was about moving really as so much energy went into that,” said Fletcher.

“Really that was the main reason behind trying to organise the royal visit – because we had all worked so hard in moving to our new base and we wanted the Princess Royal to come and see what we had done.

“But now our aim is to do some serious fundraising as we need to get some funding in and some sponsors for these horses. They cost £1,000 a year to keep and we have got six of them so that’s our main job this year.”

Those that carry out such sterling voluntary work at the association will certainly be kept busy with the Gateon Hill Farm outfit offering riding classes for disabled adults and children across four separate sessions every Saturday and Sunday.

The club caters for around 40 riders, including Fletcher’s 35-year-old daughter Joanne Watson through whom proof of the club’s popularity can clearly be gleaned. Watson had to wait two years to become a member due to the extensive waiting list and even now there are four riders waiting to be catered for.

Fletcher speaks modestly about her association’s important role and popularity, though neither is in doubt.

“People just find out about us through word of mouth really but we have always had a waiting list,” said Fletcher, whose club’s new premises boast a six-acre field.

“We’ve got four on the waiting list now and we have had people waiting for two years. We must have about 30 or 40 riders and they really enjoy their classes as it’s very good for helping their concentration.

“But everybody that is here are all volunteers and they show amazing commitment.”

Even the threat of dense fog failed to spoil the party with Fletcher admitting their special appointment could not have gone any better.

Fletcher revealed: “We had a bit of a fright at first because we thought she was going to be early because of all the fog and problems landing the helicopter but she arrived at exactly the right time.

“And the whole day just went so, so well – she’s lovely, very knowledgeable and just very, very nice.

“It was fantastic to have her down here – we must have had about 100 people there and everybody had a lovely day.

“The Princess Royal was also really interested in all the horses and she commented how nice and how well they all looked.

“We have various carers here and that shows we are doing things right.”