There’s nothing quite like a week filled with good news.
TECT has just signed off another $70,000 in funding for Tauranga Riding for the Disabled (RDA), ensuring they can keep up their amazing work.
Providing equestrian therapy for children and adults who are challenged by physical, mental and cognitive difficulties, Tauranga RDA offer an invaluable service to our community, changing lives one trot at a time through a range of programmes.
Programmes are designed to develop and nurture confidence, independence and well-being, providing life skills through professionally supervised horse riding, horse care and interaction with horses.
Running six days a week, and catering to over 140 people each week, demand is continually growing. TECT’s grant will support the running costs of the organisation, ensuring staff can provide the utmost in care, supervision and education.
Tauranga RDA are also this year’s worthy charity of The More FM Mount Everest Challenge, which kicked off last Friday with a cheer.
The Mount Everest Challenge sees participants fundraise as an individual or as a team by climbing The Mount 38 times in 50 days – the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest right here in the beautiful Bay of Plenty.
Back for its 5th year in a row, the challenge is getting bigger and bigger every year.
“This is an incredible event that just keeps growing with popularity. It’s awesome to see not only people get out there fundraising, but local businesses showing their support with offers and discounts for all participants” More FM Promotions Manager Jonelle Baxter said.
Some of the deals so far this year come from Smiths Sport Shoes, Total Rehab Physiotherapy, and even a special ‘Everest’ ice cream creation from Monte Gelato with all proceeds going to Tauranga RDA.
While some ran, jogged, or even power-walked, others took a more relaxed pace with friends and family for the climb. No matter how they did it, Tauranga RDA Manager Elisha Olds was excited to see the support.
“We have an ever-growing wait list of riders and are continually evolving to meet needs and offer more through our programmes. We would love to upgrade our indoor arena and build a new sensory trail – the fundraising from this challenge will be an amazing help in achieving that”.
Want to be able to say you climbed Mount Everest? Well this year you can (sort of)! Sign up as an individual or team today, or donate to one of the over 150 fundraisers already climbing here: https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/mt-everest-challenge-38-climbs-in-50-days
To find out more about Tauranga Riding for the Disabled, click here.
