FIFTY YEARS OF THE RIDING FOR THE DISABLED ASSOCIATION

That this House congratulates the Riding for the Disabled Association, which was founded in 1969, on its 50th anniversary; recognises the opportunities that the charity provides to ride and carriage drive to more than 25,500 people with disabilities at 500 groups across the UK; appreciates the therapeutic benefits of riding for people with disabilities and the positive effect on health, wellbeing and self-confidence; understands the benefits of riding for children and adults with disabilities were increasingly being realised during the 1960s with the formation of the Advisory Council on Riding for the Disabled; notes that by 1966 there were 23 known disabled riding groups around the UK leading to the eventual formation of the Riding for the Disabled Association; acknowledges the outstanding levels of coaching and therapy provided almost entirely by 18,000 volunteers; and wishes the charity all the success for the future.