Royal Celebrations For RDA

For 50 years, Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) has been transforming the lives of disabled children and adults, providing therapy and fun through horses and ponies.

As part of the celebrations taking place throughout RDA's 50th year, People's Postcode Lottery hosted a special evening to officially unveil RDA's commemorative anniversary tartan and welcomed HRH The Princess Royal, who is also President of RDA. Known for her love of horses, HRH has been involved with RDA and its work since 1971.

A total of 54 individual RDA groups across the country support around 28,000 adults and children with physical and learning disabilities each year.

Players of People's Postcode Lottery have supported Riding for the Disabled Association for six years and have raised over £2.6 Million for the charity. This funding is helping RDA to deliver opportunities that help improve quality of life, provide important therapy, enable riders to reach their full potential and all whilst taking part in an exciting and enjoyable activity that their disabilities may prevent them from experiencing in everyday life.

50 Years Of RDA

Clara Govier, Managing Director of People's Postcode Lottery, said, "It has been an honour to support Riding for the Disabled in celebrating their 50th year here in Scotland, and see the launch of their new tartan. They are an incredible charity, working across Britain to improve the lives of thousands of people. They are hugely popular with the players of People's Postcode Lottery and have received over £2.6 Million in funding since 2013."

The Princess met volunteers and participants and was presented with an anniversary tartan scarf by young brothers Andrew and William, whose lives have been improved thanks to riding and carriage driving. The Princess also took the opportunity to thank the thousands of volunteers, without whom RDA would not be possible and acknowledged the whole team effort that it takes to help make such a real difference to people's lives.

Kim McCutcheon, Edinburgh and Borders Regional Chair for RDA, added, "The tartan has been designed to incorporate the charity's colours and it was lovely to launch it at a special celebration alongside our wonderful volunteers and participants. It would be fantastic to see the tartan worn across the whole of the UK and by purchasing a scarf you are helping to support another 50 years of therapy through horses."