RDA loses vital council funding

Feb 26 2010 by Felix Criado, Dumfries Standard Friday

NITHSDALE Riding for the Disabled has had a vital portion of their funding suddenly axed by the council.

The council’s education department has withdrawn £2,500 of core funding to the RDA’s junior riders, which is equivalent of half of the group’s annual budget.

Betty Howard, chairman of Nithsdale RDA, is “absolutely enraged” by the council’s decision.

She said: “This will save the council approximately £2,500 per year, surely a drop in the ocean in the overall budget?

“We were told initially that the funding would be withdrawn in June but then got an e-mail at the end of December saying it had been withdrawn.”

The RDA, which also runs classes for adult riders at the Barend Stables in Dalbeattie, needs around £5,000 a year to run its child courses. Around 10 children from Maxwelltown High in Dumfries currently attend the Monday morning class and will be left devastated if the group is forced to fold.

A council spokesman said: “We received a request to pay for riding lessons for those at Maxwelltown High School with special needs also in receipt of free school meals. The school had been able to source funding for lessons up to the end of the Christmas term but not after that.

“Schools Services has not been providing funding for schools generally to access this service and was unable to consider additional funding for Riding for the Disabled at present.”

RDA treasurer Mrs Chris Hughes said: “We will carry on with the money we already have to help tide us over but will just need to see how we cope in the long-term.

“It is annoying, especially when you see how much money is wasted on other things when you think that children with disabilities would be a priority.”

In the past the group has fundraised for the additional £2,500 required to run the class and admit that now the money has gone, they will have to increase their fundraising efforts.

Betty said: “What this means is a lot more work for the RDA committee. Instead of fundraising a couple of times each year we are going to have to do it about six times.”

The money previously provided by the council’s education department went towards the RDA’s day to day running, insurance, lessons and the annual Christmas party.

Betty added: “The parents of one little boy say that Monday morning is the only day they can get him out of bed with no problems. The children all really do enjoy it.”