A community inner city riding school in Liverpool will need to close at the end of April and sell its seven ponies unless it can raise urgent funds.
Park Palace Ponies in Toxteth has made a plea for donations to help it to stay open over the next few months and buy it time to implement a new business plan, obtain sponsorship and establish partnerships that will allow it to have a sustainable long-term future.
“Since becoming a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) in September 2024 the doors of opportunity have opened for us to apply for funding that is only accessible to charities,” said trustee Karen Scott.
“But applying for funding calls can take weeks and then waiting for the outcome takes time. Our utility bills have doubled (which I have now applied to cap with the local council) and vet costs, farrier costs, horse feed, bedding and general care costs are increasing.”
Benefitting the community
Park Palace Ponies was set up in 2017 to make riding accessible to all. It offers lessons to children aged five to 10 as well as volunteering opportunities for children aged over 13. It also offers equine welfare and therapeutic sessions to local schools, vulnerable adults and patients at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.
“While our lessons are much in demand we must keep our lesson prices low, we want to be a riding school for the community, to dispel the myth that horse riding is only for those who can afford it,” continued Karen.
The riding school, which is based inside an old music hall, costs £10,000 a month to run and has been funded by a generous benefactor since September. With that income stream coming to an end before the charity has had chance to secure its long-term future, PPP finds itself in a financial crisis.
“We are reworking our sponsorship and business partnerships and developing a new website so we have crucial online presence.
“Our plans are to apply for funding and partnerships that will make PPP a more sustainable charity and we have developed a business plan with the help of Sport England but in the meantime we just need time to enable us to get going and ‘keep the lights on’ in the meantime.”
To make a donation to Park Palace Ponies GoodHub fundraising page, click here.
