Growing support

The South African Riding for the Disabled Association (Sarda) Gauteng branch recently received much-needed support from FLSmidth, a global engineering company in Constantia Kloof – a donation of R20 000.

Sarda Gauteng is a non-profit organisation that offers free therapeutic riding to physically and mentally challenged children and young adults who cannot afford it.

The branch marketing coordinator, Ronell Viljoen, together with Julia Morris who is responsible for fundraising and community awareness, said the donation is greatly appreciated since the organisation receives no regular financial support.

The organisation has always faced a financial battle. Morris said donations are sporadic throughout the year, so any help is always very welcome. “Our aim is to buy land for Sarda Gauteng so that we can continue to grow,” she said.

Donations like these go hand-in-hand with an annual market and fun days, golf days and coffee mornings to help raise funds towards the R120 000 a month that the organisation needs to function.

At their annual fun and market day on 29 October, over R33 000 was raised.

FLSmidth invited Sarda Gauteng to receive the cheque for R20 000 at a handover ceremony held at their offices on 16 November. Charl Drury, the chief financial and operations officer of FLSmidth said the organisation meant a lot to him, knowing how much his own children enjoy horse riding.

A special competition was run during the company’s golf day where FLSmidth offered to donate R200 for every birdie, R500 for an eagle, and four balls that did not achieve a birdie, a penalty of R200 would have to be paid by the players.

As with most associations of this nature, Sarda depends on donations from companies and individuals in order to continue to the much-needed work that it does. If you would like to donate to Sarda Gauteng, sponsor an event for them or volunteer, contact them on 011 958 5044 or visit www.earthcentre.org.za.

“Donations can take the form of purchase of equipment, a contribution to the cost of riding lessons or donation towards our two major projects – purchase of land and the construction of an enclosed all-weather sand arena. You can also contact the Gauteng office of Sarda to find out more about the wish list,” Viljoen said.