BROADLANDS Riding for the Disabled Centre at Medstead has benefited from a generous donation of £2,500 from Coomers Timber and Building Supplies.

The money will support the centre’s £490,000 ‘Raising the Roof’ appeal which aims, in the first instance, to raise the £185,000 needed to replace the ageing and decaying corrugated asbestos roof which is in danger of further cracking and, should that happen, the covered school will be closed, putting the life-changing activities of the centre under threat.

Critical to the work of Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), as it houses the hydraulic mounting lift used by the majority of riders and enables lessons to continue in inclement weather, alongside the centre’s eight highly-trained ponies, the covered school is the powerhouse of the entire operation.

Without it, according to Broadlands RDA Group chairman Nigel Hoppitt, riding sessions, which statistics show can make a huge difference to the physical and mental wellbeing of disabled riders, will be restricted to the small number who are able to brave the elements and use a normal outdoor mounting block.

As well as replacing the roof, the current fundraising campaign also aims to improve and extend the facilities, to enable the centre to help more disabled people, including those with Downs Syndrome, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and autism.

“In addition, Broadlands would also like to be able to assist accident victims and sufferers of post-traumatic stress disorder,” said Mr Hoppitt.

Broadlands depends on a small army of volunteers and a multitude of money-raising ventures to keep the centre viable and able to continue its special and invaluable work.

Local builders’ merchant Coomers adopted Broadlands as its 2017 charity of the year, with fundraising events taking place at its three branches in Alton, Bordon and Haslemere, as well as corporate events throughout the year.

Coomers has expressed grateful thanks to its customers for their generous donations which enabled the company to donate £2,500 toward the Broadlands fundraising campaign.

Four Marks and Medstead Rotary Club have also initiated a global giving page on behalf of the Broadland RDA centre which can be accessed at globalgiving.org/projects/therapeutic-care-for-the-disabled.