Vodacom Durban July announces donation increase at SARDA handover

Durban – The KZN division of the South African Riding for the Disabled Association celebrated the news that the Vodacom Durban July has increased its support for their revolutionary riding therapy facility.

At the handover of the donations from the 2008 Vodacom Durban July the SARDA team was thrilled to learn that Vodacom was increasing its donation this year by R10 000.

“The support we enjoy from the Vodacom Durban July has made a massive difference to our operation,” said Tracey Cumming, who heads up the KZN SARDA chapter. “We now stable enough properly trained ponies to be able to satisfy the ever increasing demand for our services, and at last we have office and classroom space that we desperately need.”

The 2008 Vodacom Durban July provided a cash donation of R30 000 to the SARDA's KZN chapter, made up of R20 000 from Vodacom and R10 000 from Gold Circle, to assist them in meeting the needs of handicapped children at their horse riding motion therapy facilities in Summerveld.

"Due to the exposure we've received through the Vodacom Durban July a number of businesses have reached out to help us in their own ways either through further donations or volunteering their time with us," said Cumming.

SARDA is a non-profit organisation run entirely by volunteers who have been trained in horse riding motion therapy. This specialised therapy they provide for children with both mental and physical challenges has shown impressive results, dramatically improving the posture and muscle tone in each child which enhances their overall movements as well as becoming a form of relaxation and stress relief.

"The effect that the weekly rides at SARDA have on these children is staggering, and cements our belief that SARDA is an ideal beneficiary from an event as prestigious as the Vodacom Durban July," said Gold Circle ’s Events Marketing Manager Ken Tweddell.

”It is important for us to give back to the communities that support us,” said Vodacom Managing Executive in KZN Alberts Breed. “The equestrian link with the Vodacom Durban July is obvious, but being able to see the benefit to these children, far away from the excitement of the Vodacom Durban July, is what makes this a worthy cause."

The KZN chapter of SARDA is poised to launch into a new era, not only because they have facilities that they desperately need, but also because the year ahead promises to offer some exciting new opportunities for them.

"I will be travelling to Texas in the USA after being approached by their disabled riding organisation so we can share skills and experiences and bring back knowledge and expertise to use at our facilities," said Cummings.

Cummings will also be visiting various rotary clubs during her stay in Texas and is eagerly awaiting the International Disabled Riding Conference which has elected to hold their annual conference at the KZN SARDA facilities later this year.

She is also grateful for the volunteers that provide the hands-on expertise for the children attending the riding classes. “Particularly through the Vodacom Durban July, the awareness of what we do, and the difference it makes in the lives of these children, we get calls from ordinary people offering to join our volunteer team, to be trained and then assist with our riding classes,” said Cumming.

She added that the demand for the riding therapy classes was steadily increasing, and she had plans to cover their riding arena to enable them to provide classes in all weather conditions. “That together with the problem of providing transport for the children, is our biggest need right now.”

SARDA can be contact through Tracey Cummings on 031- 768 1222.

The Vodacom Durban July takes place at Greyville Racecourse on Saturday, 4 July 2009 . More information can be found at Vodacom Durban July