We're still collecting donations
On the 25th February 2021 we'd raised £1,302,792 with 31723 supporters in 56 days. But as every pound matters, we're continuing to collect donations from supporters.
Save Our Stables!
by Natalie O'Rourke in Teddington, England, United Kingdom
Total raised £1,316,862
raised so far+ est. £239495.75
32003
supportersWith your help we saved our stables and can continue our work. From us, and from all the participants who benefit, thank you.
by Natalie O'Rourke in Teddington, England, United Kingdom
New stretch target
WE DID IT!
Thank you so much for all of your support so far. The big donations have been fantastic and lifted our spirits every time, but to those who pledged their pocket money, and all the people who gave £5 and £10 and said ‘sorry I can’t give more’, we and our staff and RDA riders would like to say a huge thank you. Between us we made it happen!
We still welcome any extra support, we're a charity with ongoing costs and every little really does help. As you can imagine, the upkeep of 23 horses is no mean feat, with food, vet bills and general running costs!
With additional funds we would be able to secure our future existence. We would also be able to purchase land for our horses to graze and build our own secure arena that could be used for RDA riding and carriage driving sessions for our participants.
Save Our Stables!
Help us secure the future of Park Lane Stables for disabled participants
Charity No: 1161306
Many thanks to our friends and sponsors:
Media enquiry? Please e-mail Paul: Paulbursche1 [at] gmail.com
Who we are
Park Lane Stables RDA (Riding for the Disabled) is a small charity and has been a key part of the Teddington community for many years, providing much-needed therapy and happiness to hundreds of local children and adults with (and without) disabilities and mental health challenges every year.
The landlord has told us that he will not be renewing our lease which ends on 31 May 2021 as he wishes to sell the property. We urgently need to raise £1M so we can buy the stables. They will then be 100% owned by the registered charity Park Lane Stables RDA 1161306 and be part of the wider RDA family.
This will secure our future in the long-term. With the money we save from the cost of the lease we will be able to provide more lessons at a subsidised rate and invest in vital therapy equipment.
The stables have a cottage which will become assisted living for those with additional needs so they will be in the heart of the community and living with the horses.
What we do
In a non Covid year we provide 3000 sessions of therapeutic riding including hippotherapy and carriage driving. We have a huge waiting list of adults and children with disabilities in need of our services, the demand is most definitely there!
Research commissioned by the RDA highlights the benefits: participants show huge improvements in their ability to communicate, a marked physical improvement as well as an increased ability to build relationships.
Enjoying some grooming time with Dougie
Why we need to stay local
We need to stay in our current home so our participants without sight can get to us on public transport. If we were tucked away in a different location those that need us most would not be able to reach us and would become more socially isolated.
We are a social hub for many with additional needs who come to the stables for a horsey fix, be that riding, carriage driving, grooming, jobs around the yard or just sharing secrets with their trusted 4 legged friend.'We call ourselves the community stables because we’re here for everybody.The same way that anybody can use the library or the swimming pool, we are here for everybody that wants to get involved.' Natalie O'Rourke, Manager
'Park Lane is like a bubble of happiness.' Christian, 14
'Run on kindness and inclusion, everyone who is part of it is a better person for it.' Vicky, 32
Employment
At Park Lane Stables we employ six disabled people, who would lose their jobs if we were forced to close. Employment opportunities like these don't come around often and won't easily be replaced, which is why we need to stay.
During Covid
During the first lockdown our community couldn't come to us, so we decided to come to them. We visited those who were shielding or self-isolating in their homes to put a smile on their faces. Which is really what we as a community stables are all about, plus the ponies got to eat some grass!
Annie's Whizz visiting a boy on his birthday who was shielding
Whizz spreading some local cheer during lockdown
Thank you
If we are successful we would like to thank every person that supports us by inviting you to the stables for a pony meet and greet.
This is an 'All-or-Nothing' campaign, so if we don't achieve our target all your pledges will be returned to you at the end of the campaign. All funds are held securely by Crowdfunder for the duration of the campaign.
Natalie and everyone at Park Lane Stables
Charity No: 1161306
Licenced by London Borough of Richmond upon Thames No: AW/00002
Rewards
This project offered rewards
£100 or more
Sponsor a brick
Become a brick and mortar supporter of the stables by sponsoring a brick. You will become a lifelong part of the fabric of the building with your initials featured on your brick(s).
£5 or more
Pony positivity postcard
We will post you a post card of our tiny pony at your window with some words of positivity. The postcard is an original painting by a local artist and is a lasting reminder of living in a lockdown.
£10 or more
Pony Positivity Postcard
We will post you a post card of our tiny pony at your window with some words of positivity. The postcard is an original painting by a local artist and is a lasting reminder of living in a lockdown.
£20 or more
Pony Cuddle (covid permitting)
We would love to invite you to the stables for a pony cuddle when it is safe to do so with Covid. If you are not local we can give you a virtual pony cuddle via facetime. You can have a sensory experience with a hairy friend, get some long faced selfies and go home smelling like a horse!
£200 or more
Covid friendly watercolour
Our resident artist Joy Cuff will complete a watercolour for you of your choice. The reward is not Covid dependant as it can be done from a photograph. Joy trained at Kingston School of art and has been an artist and sculptor since the 1960's. Joy has worked in theatre and television and as a matte painter in the film industry. You can commission the painting of a much loved pet or family member or even your home, totally your choice.
£5,000 or more
Your name on a stable door
Have your name (or your companies name) on one of our stable doors and become a fixture of our stable life. By pledging for this reward you will not only help secure our future, but become part of the Park Lane Stables history.
£10,000 or more
Name a pony!
For £10,000 a magical Park Lane pony can have your name attached to it. For any formal appearances and competitions the ponies full name will be used rather than his day to day stable name. The name will appear on our website, be featured across all social media posts, press features or media appearances in association with any progress a rider makes.
£500 or more
The Goodnight Kiss painting
The Goodnight Kiss by Joy Cuff, a one of piece of art. 10 x 14 inches on canvas.
Joy took her inspiration from this image of a little girl saying goodnight before her own bedtime to Trigger on a recent wintery night.
(Please see most recent update for an image of photograph and artwork)