A CHARITY helping disabled people take to the saddle is appealing for help to replace its aging riding school.

The Wilton Riding for the Disabled Group, based at The Pembroke Centre, has launched a crowdfunding bid to raise £7,500 for the new facility.

Volunteers say the current outdoor riding school is no longer fit for use after providing thousands of hours of fun for charity visitors.

“We need to provide a safe, fun space for our riders and a comfortable and stable surface for our ponies,” a spokesperson said.

Sport England has pledged £7,500 for the work – based on the amount being matched through the group’s own fundraising.

The Pembroke Centre Wilton RDA has been providing therapeutic riding for children and adults for more than four decades.

“Our riders develop their balance and co-ordination, gain muscle strength and build up their all-important core muscles,” the spokesperson went on.

The Pembroke Centre at Wilton currently works with more than 200 children and adults each year, said Jackie Worrall, chair of trustees.

“We want to ensure that we can continue to provide riding for everyone,” she said. “Replacement of the outdoor arena is critical to all our riders who benefit enormously, both physically and mentally through the interaction with the ponies.

“Riders gain confidence and self-esteem while they socialise and build relationships with other riders, volunteers and ponies.

“That relationship with a pony brings incalculable benefits.”

Wilton RDA is one of 500 RDA Groups across the UK that provide horse riding, therapy, carriage driving, vaulting and showjumping to 30,000 people with disabilities.

People can donate directly to the campaign via the group’s website, at www.pembrokecentre.com, or through the Crowdfunder page, at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/rdawilton-outdoor-school.