|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This is your RDA and it can have a profound impact on a large percentage of children and adults with disabilities every year. Physical impact, mental and emotional wellbeing, confidence and independence, and social connections - all these help to create a healthier and more inclusive community. CRDA has had some extraordinary donations from private individuals. Whether its bequests from some very special friends of CRDA (we have had some dear friends lost this year who have made sure we are remembered and supported), or whether it is our amazing corporate sponsors and service clubs and organisations. These are the life blood that keep us operational. Take a look on the back of this newsletter at some of the people and organisations that have given us such wonderful financial assistance. Then we have incredible support from community funding programmes like the one run by Z, Curletts Road station who gave us a fantastic boost to our Icelandic horse fundraising programme. We too have our own self-funding initiatives, proving that with help from our volunteers, staff, riders, their families and friends, our organisation tries hard to empower itself. Look at the success of our Awareness week and funds raised towards an Icelandic horse - already well above $6,000.
|
|
Coming through the winter months can be hard on a facility, the horses and on the people working and volunteering. Sometimes we need to farewell our horses and there have been a few this term but always as a door closes, a new one opens and there are some very special new editions to our horses - I’m sure you have spotted them. We also said farewell to our much-loved husband and wife maintenance duo Nigel and Maree. They have been quietly keeping our facilities exceptionally clean, well maintained and welcoming for a number of years. We wish them a very happy retirement.
|
|
New additions to our sessions have been very exciting. Angela McEwen has joined our coaching team on Tuesdays and will start completing the NZRDA coaching qualifications. This is fantastic for CRDA, helping to secure a strong and exciting team for the future of our group. We also trialled a new separate programme to our Thursdays. We now have two early intervention groups running with 2 riders for half an hour with their own coach. It proved to be very successful this term with small riders who find themselves unable to manage a full session. It is now a permanent programme.
|
|
I wish you all the best for spring and look forward to Term 4, sunny riding and CHRISTMAS!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Today I am going to tell you about my furry friend, Zion. He is naughty, funny and kind. He always makes me laugh and smile. It's always a blast at RDA. Whenever we go outside, he tries to take a nip at the grass. He also loves to play with the big ball and kick it around the place. Now let me tell you about my other friend, Savana but we call her Savvy. She is basically just like Zion. Except she is sweeter and she loves bubbles so much more than Zion. Thank you RDA for letting me find some new friends!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From 14th to 18th September, we celebrated our annual CRDA Awareness Week. It was a fantastic opportunity to welcome the wider community to come and see our riders, horses, and volunteers in action. We are deeply grateful for the massive amount of support we received throughout the week. Here is a wrap-up of the highlights, winners, and community contributions that made the week such a success.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Delicious Treats and Clever Guessing Games
|
- Bake Sale Success - our amazing parents and volunteers supplied an array of delicious treats for our bake sale, which were quickly snapped up by hungry visitors.
- Guess Sweetie’s Weight - everyone loved trying to figure out the weight of our new pony, Sweetie. She weighed in at 502kg. A huge congratulations to our Wednesday rider, Yejun, who won the competition with an incredibly close guess of 503kg.
- Pony Nuts in the Jar - visitors also tried their luck at guessing how many pony nuts were packed into the jar. The actual number was 701. Congratulations to our Tuesday rider, Braxton, who took out the prize with a very clever guess of 650.
- Colouring in Competition - winners will be drawn at start of Term 4.
|
|
|
We were blown away by the creativity and generosity of our local community partners during the week:
|
- Stepping Stones Trust. A special thank you to Sophie, Tia and Kush from the Stepping Stones Trust, who crafted and brought in a beautiful range of handmade jewellery and art to sell. All proceeds went directly toward our fundraising efforts.
- Christchurch Girls’ High School. The boarders at CGHS organized a fantastic fundraiser by selling hot chips and hosting a fun, dress-up boarders' dinner. They presented us with a very generous donation from their efforts.
|
|
|
|
We were thrilled to host many special guests during the week. Among our visitors were representatives from the Rata Foundation, Soroptimist International Christchurch, the Blogg Charitable Trust and The Cerebral Palsy Society, along with many other valued supporters, family and friends.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The week was an absolute success, both in showcasing the vital work we do and in raising crucial funds. Don’t forget to check out our fundraising thermometer near the main doors to see the final tally of what was added to our new pony fund. Thank you so much to everyone who came to visit, purchased a treat, bought some artwork, or gave a donation. CRDA is successful because our community is strong, and we are deeply grateful for each and every one of you.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We've had some fantastic new arrivals join the team this term. Sweetie a purebred Gypsy Cob from Southland thinks it is tropical here and has quickly become a firm favourite. Kermit a Standardbred who raced as "What The Bell" loves his life after racing. Chanelle Dickie rehomes many Standardbreds and gratefully got his ridden career underway before joining us. Tussock a Stationbred Cross has kindly been leased to us, and he has slotted in like he's always been part of the solid furniture! Lastly, we farewelled Arthur who is thoroughly enjoying his well - deserved retirement, still getting ridden and keeps him feeling like part of the action.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We always welcome new volunteers. Comprehensive training is provided and there are ongoing learning opportunities with workshops and webinars which are full of useful information to support our riders.
|
|
The next volunteer induction workshop is in Term 1, 2027.
|
|
Please contact Gabi or Annette at volunteers@chchrda.org.nz or 0211744096 for more information on volunteering, click the Volunteer button below, or go to the Volunteer page on www.chchrda.org.nz to enrol and receive more details.
|
|
Annette Shier, Volunteer Coordinator and Gabi Humphreys, Volunteer Support
|
|
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Dates
|
8 Waitangi Day Observed CLOSED
|
|
12-18 NZB Sales Week CLOSED
|
|
|
|
A huge thanks to our funders, sponsors and donors
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rotary Club of Christchurch
|
|
Bishopdale/Burnside Rotary Club
|
|
|
Rotary Club of Christchurch
|
|
G and B Davies Charitable Trust
|
|
Lions Club of Christchurch South
|
|
Geoff and Julie Stevenson
|
|
|
Frank Shrives in memorial
|
|
Helen Stowell - in memorial Janet Shand
|
|
Plus a big thanks to all our participants in fundraising events this term including 'Good in the Hood' at Z Curletts Rd, Awareness Week raffle, bake sale and special treats, book sales, entertainment book donations, gear donations, volunteer expertise and services.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mā mua ka kite a muri, mā muri ka ora a mua.
|
|
Together we make a difference.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Office
Diana Saxton, Administrator
03 3484374 admin@chchrda.org.nz
|
|
Sarah Ritchie, Ops Manager and Funding
|
|
027 4538180 funding@chchrda.org.nz
|
|
022 1761632 or president@chchrda.org.nz
|
|
Elizabeth Smith, Riders' Rep
|
027 2376974 elizabeth@chchrda.org.nz
|
Physical Address
|
Northcote Drive, inside Canterbury Agricultural Park, Wigram
|
|
|
Arena Hire Enquiries
|
Jessica McCarthy, Arena Coordinator
|
|
022 6757755 arenahire@chchrda.org.nz
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
