Run CEO Run!
Help CEO Chris Hooper complete the London Marathon to raise funds and awareness for RDA.
Nationwide
Chris Hooper is CEO of NZRDA. Originally from the UK and with a leisure and recreation management background, Chris headed up SCOUTS NZ for 5 years and Special Olympics for 10 years (first in NZ, then in the UK). Chris is a keen runner and has completed the London marathon six times. On 23 April 2017, as part of a joint initiative with RDA UK, he plans to complete the marathon once more. This time, he’s doing it to raise funds and awareness for RDA.
Chris will make his own way there and back and will stay with friends and family. Like the rest of us, Chris wants to fully maximise RDA’s potential to assist people with disabilities to overcome their challenges, achieve their goals, participate in their communities and enjoy access to therapeutic, educational and recreational activities.
Help Chris achieve his goal – to complete the London Marathon to raise funds and awareness for RDA. His goal matches the goal of RDA groups everywhere – to be able to provide more children and adults with life-changing horse-riding and horse-related opportunities and to enable more riders to increase their ability, independence and self-worth.
About us
We provide high-quality training and support for 40 plus RDA groups throughout NZ. Our vision is to provide more riders with life-changing horse-riding opportunities and to enable them to increase their ability, independence and self-worth.
Use of funds
Your support provides consistent and equal access to training, advice and resources for all RDA groups, coaches and volunteers across the country – irrespective of whether the group is small or large (or in between) or urban or suburban (or rural). Your support ensures health and safety and other standards are met – and you are making a healthy, safe and positive difference to the lives of disabled children and adults (and to the lives of their families and friends).
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Back on The Mall 3 May 2017
CEO Chris Hooper is now back home in NZ. But before he left London, he had one last very special appointment. At Buckingham Palace, no less. An Audience with Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Princess Anne.
Princess Anne is in her 31st year as the President of RDA UK. She is also our Patron and she shows an active interest in RDA activities at home and abroad. Chris was keen to update The Princess on developments since her last visit to NZ in 2008.
Chris takes up the story:
What an experience! On a lovely spring morning, I walked up The Mall to the North Centre Gate of Buckingham Palace. I walked alone across the vast, famous forecourt beyond the Palace gates, past the sentries in their boxes, towards a red carpeted stairway leading to the Privy Purse Door.
Palace staff then escorted me through a maze of hallways, passages and lifts. They introduced me to The Princess Royal and we sat down to discuss the many facets of RDA. She expressed interest in the London Marathon and in our various funding challenges. We also talked about rider waiting lists, joint ventures, carriage driving and RDA programme development.
After 40 minutes, I walked back out onto the Palace forecourt, towards the gates and past the crowds. I felt a real sense of pride in having met Princess Anne. It was a great honour and an amazing opportunity to engage with our fantastic Patron in such a relaxed way.
Latest donations
Awesome Becky. Thanks so much for your support.
Thank you so much for your support. It's very much appreciated.
Thank you Robyn. We appreciate your kind words and your support. We love RDA and we're glad you do too! Cheers.
Awesome - thank you! Chris eventually got over the line without the help of a RDA horse! Although we think he might have got there a bit faster with some extra help! :)
Thank you so much Sharon and Terry. Your support and kind words mean a lot - and certainly help to encourage Chris & RDA to do all we can to Reach More Riders and Change More Lives. Thank you.
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