Between Friends

Write to us at Between Friends, “The People’s Friend”, 80 Kingsway East, Dundee DD4 8SL, or e-mail us at betweenfriends@dcthomson.co.uk.

Star Letter

I was thrilled to see on a recent “Friend” front cover that there is a series about Riding for the Disabled.

This is a charity very close to my heart as I am an organiser for an RDA group in Northern Ireland. So I quickly turned to the article and it didn’t disappoint. Every part of it resonated with me. We work with children and adults with disabilities and what the article said is so true. Children who won’t talk do, indeed, talk to their pony. We can see improvement in muscle strength over just a few weeks, great increase in confidence, and children who usually don’t communicate make it clear that they are enjoying themselves.

The thrill when a non-communicator smiles is indescribable! It’s a joy to help and it really puts my own problems into perspective.

If anyone reading this is inspired to volunteer, I’m sure you would be made most welcome at your nearest group.

A few years ago, I persuaded a young friend to come with me – she had never been near a horse but needed to volunteer with something as part of her studies. She fell in love with horses, learned to ride at her own expense and now show jumps for her university! So RDA expands the horizons of volunteers, too.

The picture here shows pony Bruno with Billy, a volunteer.

Mrs B.M., Carrickfergus.

Our Star Letter will receive a Dean’s all-butter shortbread tin worth £13.69 RRP.

All other printed UK letters will win one of our famous tea caddies and a pack of loose tea. Our friends from overseas will receive an alternative prize.