Ravelrig Riding for the Disabled (RDA) have received a £200,000 boost as part of sportscotland’s £1.2 million investment in facilities across the country.
The organisation is one of 10 projects to receive investment from sportscotland to develop facilities or create a new home for sport and physical activity.
It sees much-needed funding for rural communities, areas of deprivation, and for projects designed to make sport more accessible and inclusive. The investment has been made possible thanks to National Lottery players, who raise £30 million each week for good causes across the UK.
The Ravelrig RDS investment will go towards a new indoor riding arena in Balerno which will increase participation throughout winter when the use of the current outdoor venue is at the mercy of the weather. The organisation support people with a range of disabilities and provide therapeutic and recreational riding opportunities.
The work will also ensure improved accessibility between the new arena and the existing stables, office, clubroom, grazing field and toilets. The new arena is predicted to increase participation by 28%, with bad weather and poor light currently causing 15 weeks of cancellations throughout the year.
Ravelrig RDA work with a wide range of children, young people and adults with physical, learning disabilities, emotional and behaviour difficulties and mental health challenges supported by over 100 volunteers. With an ever-growing waiting list and demand high from ASN schools and the community, a year-round facility will help satisfy that demand.
Work is already underway and its hoped will be completed in February 2025.
Forbes Dunlop, chief executive of sportscotland, said: “Ravelrig RDA has demonstrated a real commitment to ensuring that more people in Edinburgh will have an opportunity to become physically active and connected to their local community.”
Elaine Jefferies, chair of Ravelrig RDA, added: “The new arena has long been a long-term goal of Ravelrig RDA volunteers, participants and supporters. to enable lessons to continue all year round. At our previous outdoor arena many are rescheduled or cancelled due to the challenges we have with the weather.
“The vision, drive, commitment and support of everyone involved past and present is wholly appreciated and we’d like to thank sportscotland and our other funding partners for helping make the new arena a reality.”
Evergreen sports journalist. Previously published in many publications around the world. Send me your local sports stories. billlothian1008@gmail.com
