As the Cheltenham Festival brought a week of excitement to the town, two of the team from the aptly named "Festival Law" solicitors practice from Cheltenham met with riders who may not be lifting the famous Gold Cup this year

As the Cheltenham Festival brought a week of excitement to the town, two of the team from the aptly named “Festival Law” solicitors practice from Cheltenham met with riders who may not be lifting the famous Gold Cup this year, but who are nevertheless keen to get into the spirit and have some fun.

Julia Briano and Peter Lodge from Festival Law were invited to Cotswold Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) which is located at the Cheltenham Race Course grounds. The national charity has been operating in Cheltenham for over 40 years. The organization is run with a network of 500 groups, run mainly by volunteers, organizing activities such as riding, carriage driving, vaulting and show jumping for up to 28,000 people each year. Cotswold RDA itself has over 200 riders per week.

After visiting the centre Peter Lodge said “When we learnt about the work of the RDA we were keen to offer our support. We were not aware that they offered so many opportunities to disabled adults and children. Children from Alderman Knight School, in Tewkesbury, were at the centre when we visited and it was obvious to see that they were getting a huge amount of enjoyment from the riding lesson.”

Julia Briano said, “With a running cost in the region of £100,000 a year the RDA have a huge fundraising task given that they do not get any external funding support. The RDA relies upon donations and fundraising efforts. We wanted to make a donation to show our support to a charity that has such a valuable role.”

Mo Begg, the Centre Manager for RDA says, “We are always very grateful for any donations that can be made as they really do make a difference. The service we provide is popular and greatly enjoyed by the disabled and we are always looking for new volunteers to help out.”

If you are able to help in any way from sponsoring a pony, to running a fundraising stall, or helping to clean tack then please contact the centre on 01242 584420 or by email on cotswold.rda@btinternet.com