Riding for smiles - April update

13th May 2022

riding

May 1st, where did April go? Seems only days since the March year end Update. Well, that is what it feels like when you are lucky enough to have spent three weeks in the sunshine in Florida.

The month of April was a little quieter for RfS, down to the Easter break. We are now looking forward to an amazing summer term, Carol just told me that the temperature is rising, its mainly dry and we will see the sun. We might not be making hay; we can, however, put a smile on lots of faces and deliver lots of experiences we know benefit the children so much.


We are, together, Riding for Smiles.
You can now read the story of the first five years of Riding for Smiles. A story written by Geoff, Chair and Stephanie, Project Liaison. Find it here.
You can also read a paper written by Stephanie and Geoff which documents the research and development done for the mental health programme funded by the National Lottery Community Fund. Find it here.

RfS has eventually succeeded in building a new toilet facility incorporating flushing toilets and hand washing basins. The new block also has an accessible toilet. Thankyou to the Cloth Workers Foundation, Derbyshire County Council and Creswell, Elmton and Hodthorpe Big Local who funded the development. The restrooms will be ready for use in the next few days.

I make no excuse for repeating this paragraph from last month’s Update. If you are a funder, a local business or you have an idea to raise funds or a lead you can feed us, please get in touch. All this magnificent work depends on funding.

“Riding for Smiles finished the year with funding in place to support many of its Programmes through to 2025. One task for 2022-2023 is to secure funding to be able to fully fund all our Programmes through to 2025. RfS is looking for around £13,000 each year from September 2022 to fully fund the new business plan.”

Stephanie Hind 07754 090685 info@ridingforsmiles.org

Dr. Geoff Cutts 07902 913250 chair@ridingforsmiles.org