Disabled charity's 24-horse ride will give back to Marton school that supports them

Pat Bevan, 62, of the Midgeland Riding for the Disabled Association, will take part in a solo day-long horse ride at Midgeland Riding School in Marton on August 8.

She said: "I'm starting at 7am and then throughout the day when there's lessons on in the school, I'm going to join them. If there's a private lesson on, I'll go in the paddock or ride in the field."

The RDA, which provides riding lessons and courses to both physically and mentally disabled people, is based at the school and makes use of its horses and facilities for free.

Pat hopes to raise £3,000 for the school to help replenish much-needed funds following the coronavirus lockdown.

She said: "The RDA would not exist without the riding school because we use their horses. We don't pay to hire. It's all their support for us.

"When (a disabled rider) goes on a horse, it lifts them right now. They are not having anybody looking down on them. It gives them that feeling of independence and freedom.

"Sitting on a horse gives the body the feeling of walking without standing on their own legs. It builds core strength and core stability.

"There's also a case for wellbeing. Horses are very calming creatures. The horses at the riding school are amazing. We have some riders who may make noises they can't control and the horses take it all in their stride. When you work with these riders, who it comes to trotting there isn't one of them who doesn't have a massive smile on their face. They just love it and they look forward to it."

She added: "We have done 24-hour rides before in groups throughout the night. But this time, this was something I wanted to do by myself. We raised £3,000 last time, so that's my goal.

"It will be on different horses throughout the day, and when there's not a horse available I will be on radar, our very high-tech riding machine."

Keep up with Pat's fund-raising efforts online at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/pats-challenge