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Last month, North Shore Riding for the Disabled (NSRDA) celebrated 50 years of working with the community at its Stillwater property.
The organisation currently caters for about 70 riders, with three rides a day on seven horses.
The organisation was joined by its many supporters for the event, including its oldest member, David Grey.
He spoke about the difficulty the organisation faced in its early days when it had to move to different sites whenever the lease expired, first launching in 1975 at Rosedale Pony Club, followed by Woolly Bear Farm on Oteha Valley Road.
“They had to pull down the barn every time they shifted,” he said.
However, with support and advice from the old ASB Bank, NSRDA became a charitable trust, and they were able to raise the funds to buy the 10 hectare property at Stillwater.
Having their own home meant they could build a permanent barn, and more recently an indoor arena and outside stalls.
President Christine Fallas thanked the many generous donors and the staff and volunteers.
“I’d like to say my special thank you to you who are the lifeblood of our organisation. We have a small but dedicated team of staff who attend to our essential core functions, week in and week out, as well many people who work behind the scenes, including the committees, legal teams, gardeners, handymen, architectes, engineers and horse physios as well as the many generous donors who gave money, goods and services,” she says.
She also thanked the 60 hardworking volunteers who turn up every week to lead horses or sidewalk with riders.
“Without these people, our organisation just wouldn’t exist.”
At the event, Christine also presented a lifetime membership to Tāwharanui resident and Trust Board member Adrianne Cranshaw, who led the fundraising team for the covered arena.
“She worked so hard over a long period of time and we wanted to recognise her for that.”
Whangaparāoa Rotary Club also presented the organisation with a $5000 donation raised at its annual golf day.
Riding for the Disabled National chief executive Donna Kennedy said the Stillwater centre was a significant achievement for North Shore and that the national organisation valued what they did on a daily basis.
“You have invested heavily in the site and congratulations on a fantastic 50 years.”
