Founded in 1985 RDA (Hollesley Group) have provided hundreds of adults and children with the opportunity to take part in either horse riding or carriage driving at its homes, originally at Poplar Park in Hollesley and for the last 22 years at Pettistree Hall Farm in Sutton.
Now, as the lease on their current premises comes to a close, they desperately need to find a new home.
Suzanne Pyne, member of the Board of Trustees said “If we can’t find a new home by 9th August then our riders, both children and adults with a range of physical and mental disabilities, will be left without access to a vital part of their therapy. Our horses also face an uncertain future. This is heart-breaking for the parents, carers, supporters and volunteers.”
The Group has been hunting for a suitable 15 acre plot to run the operation for the past year. Despite having had some discussions with potential landlords nothing concrete has come forward and time is running out.
On 11th June organisers are launching an urgent appeal for help. Ms. Pyne said, “We may be facing homelessness but we are not helpless. Dozens of our riders, supporters, volunteers, parents and carers will be coming together for a Group photograph. This is being photographed from above by a drone kindly donated by a local company. We really want to demonstrate how many people this affects and how having this service makes such a tremendous difference to so many people’s lives, to touch the hearts and minds of those who might be able to help us.”
Hannah Martin de la Torre whose daughter Elise is one of the Group’s regular riders said, “This means so much to Elise and the other riders. Riding is so beneficial not only for Elise’s core strength but has added so much to her confidence”.
If landowners are interested in offering the RDA a new home they should contact them by email at enquiries@rdahollesley.org.uk
The appeal launch event takes place on 11th June at:
RDA (Hollesley Group)
Pettistree Hall Farm
Sutton
Woodbridge
Suffolk
IP12 3EH
Timings: 12 noon for the Group photograph.
