| The £500,000 centre, north of Linlathen Nursing Home, off the Arbroath road, will provide horses, instructors and physiotherapists for people of all ages with learning or physical disabilities, as well as those in rehabilitation from trauma, strokes and amputations.
Now those involved in the Brae Partnership, a charity set up to develop and run the riding school, are looking forward to opening. Building work began in February last year after the money was raised by directors, development workers, project managers, fund-raisers, local businesses and charities.
It’s the first centre of its kind in Dundee.
Centre manager Mary Sneddon described the fund-raising effort as “amazing.”
“The idea of the Brae Riding School started 10 years ago,” she said.
“Various Riding for the Disabled Association groups in Dundee were riding in all weathers, including children from Kingspark School.
“The amount of riding time was severely restricted, so the idea of building a purpose-built centre with an indoor and outdoor school was born.
“Brae Partnership was formed after discussions with Dundee City Council, Dundee College and Tayside Primary Care Trust.
“After many setbacks the centre is now complete, providing outstanding and unique facilities for Dundee and surrounding area.”
Mary continued, “The potential is immense, with projects such as carriage driving and outreach learning included in the longer term goals.
“An amazing £500,000 has been raised to build the centre. We’ve received donations from individuals and various trusts.
“Fund-raising events have also taken place such as your usual bag packs, quizzes and coffee mornings, but also some like trekking in Nepal.
“We will continue to fund-raise as we need in the region of £85,000 to £95,000 to keep the centre running. Although we will have revenue from the daily sessions and also from the use of the centre by external organisations in the evening, we will still have a large shortfall in the first four years of the centre’s life.”
Facilities include indoor and outdoor arenas built to meet British show jumping standards, and a lift to assist disabled clients getting on to horses.
There are rooms for physiotherapy, changing and meetings, and a viewing area.
The centre has six horses and is desperate to get ponies, but can’t afford them.
“The Brae could not function without ponies and horses to ride and finding suitable animals is one of our most difficult tasks, both in terms of time and money,” said Mary.
“Buying a pony/horse is a big dent in a charity’s finances. There must be many caring owners of ponies and horses who would love to see their own animals give sheer joy and happiness to disabled riders the way they did to themselves and their own families.
“If you have a calm, suitable pony or horse which would benefit from a good home please contact the Brae.”
The centre will rely heavily on volunteers. Already there is a dedicated team and there are others who have registered an interest.
Anyone looking to become a volunteer should contact Mary Sneddon on 07512 756269.
Further details can be found at www.brae.org.uk. An open evening is being held tonight for fund-raising contributors. |
