Hunter, Tracey and Willie climb for RDA

It is the last week of the challenge! So we walked up as a family with Samantha Hayes from Newshub on Sunday. The kids were very excited to spend time with “the lady on the news”, she was fantastic and genuinely interested in the therapy RDA provide.

Billie-Jean managed the climb very well, her determination to get up there was phenomenal.

We have been happy to participate in the challenge with all the funds going to Tauranga RDA - a place where we have spent many enjoyable hours watching Billie-Jean trot around the arena on various horses. These horses are magical, for kids of all ages who have all sorts of extra stuff going on, they are just incredible animals who make life a little better.

Billie-Jean started at RDA when she had just turned 3yrs old. She wasn’t walking yet because of her disability, and had undergone several hip procedures. Turns out horse-riding is the best form of physio for hips, which was the initial reason we signed her up. But we soon saw the vast benefits physically, socially, confidence-wise and an enormous sense of pride up there on the big horses.

We pay for Billie-Jean to ride two terms a year, the wait-list prevents her attending year round. It costs us much the same as any other sport or activity that any kid participates in. However these lovely horses cost a whole lot more to feed and take care of.

Thank you all for your generous support. The wonderful team at Tauranga RDA really appreciate it.