The Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) is one of seven charities to have been included in the People’s Postcode Lottery’s latest campaign video.
The 60 second video, which stars singer Ellie Goulding and comedian Tom Allen, thanks players of the People’s Postcode Lottery for helping to raise over £1.4 billion to support hundreds of good causes.
The video sees Goulding playing the piano and singing the 1960s Burt Bacharach and Hal David track What the world needs now is love in a residential street.
“RDA’s work with disabled people, enriching lives through horses, is needed more than ever and, like thousands of charities across Britain, we simply could not deliver our life-changing services without this crucial, long-term support,” said Michael Bishop, RDA’s CEO.
“Players of People’s Postcode Lottery have supported RDA for more than 10 years, raising over £5 million for the national charity and network of 13,000 volunteers and 400 RDA groups across the UK, working with 22,500 disabled people every year. RDA sends a huge thank you to all those players who help make this possible.”
Introducing Maddie and Aimee
Rider Maddie, who has Down’s Syndrome, and Aimee the pony, represent the RDA in the film. Maddie started riding with the RDA when she was four.
“Initially we just wanted to give Maddie the opportunity to explore new things, and like many children with Down’s Syndrome, to improve her core strength. Now RDA means so much more to her. Maddie rides independently, she is progressing, learning new skills, and achieving at her own pace. Opportunities to be independent are precious for disabled young people – so for Maddie, the special relationship with a horse is empowering, and RDA is absolutely her happy place,” said Maddie’s mum.
Aimee is an RSPCA rescue who has thrived as an RDA pony. She provides therapy, physical and mental health benefits and fun for disabled riders each week.
Battersea, Trussell, Royal Voluntary Service, OnSide, Royal British Legion and Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust are the other charities to feature in the video and represent just a few of the good causes that the People’s Postcode Lottery has supported since it launched in 2005.
To view the film click here.
