The work of the MDIRF
Chief Co-ordinator Rosemary Lang has been instrumental in developing the charity over the years. “Our remit is simple,” she told us. “We are here for when no other help is available. I want to encourage people to contact us, even if they think we can’t do anything for them. No one is a lost cause and there’s usually something we can do, even if it’s as simple as emotional support through tough times. We also get partners and families of the injured person calling us – sometimes they just need to talk and express emotions that they wouldn’t want to say out loud to anyone else. It’s important for us to remember that everyone who contacts us has been thrust into a situation overnight with no warning or time to adjust. And it’s such a shock. We get around six calls a day from people who’ve been injured.” ‘We give advice on a range of things – legalities, benefits, what mobility equipment is most appropriate, etc, and we raise money to help fund equipment and other essentials when it can’t be found anywhere else. We’ll do anything we can to make the person’s life easier and feel as normal as it can be. ‘We couldn’t do our work without our supporters who spend a lot of time and energy raising money and manning stands at events. People come up with all sorts of ideas or personal challenges to attract sponsorship. The activities that bring in the most money are the special events we run, such as our Evening with the Stars in November 2016. We had celebrity riders in the ‘hot seat’ and a three-course VIP meal. We did an Evening with Clare Balding in 2015, which brought in a fair chunk of money through tickets sold and an auction on the night. This year we’re planning a classical concert in March and evening with the Stars at Bolesworth Castle in April. But every little helps as they say and we’re grateful for all amounts raised, no matter how small or large. The future for the charity is simple – to keep doing what we do and help as many people as we can. We also monitor riding hat testing to ensure all standards are kept up to date and will continue to do this for as long as it’s needed.”