A Cumbrian Riding for the Disabled group is among 20 organisations given a funding boost by Fibrus.
The broadband firm’s Play It Forward Fund provides grants of up to £1,000 to help children’s sports clubs to buy equipment, kits or improve facilities.
The fund has contributed £150,000 to clubs across Northern Ireland and Cumbria since 2023, championing a wide range of sports from football to roller hockey and promoting health and wellbeing.
One of those helped in the latest round was Carlisle Riding for the Disabled, based at Blackdyke Riding School.
The group, which is part of a national charity and dependent on volunteers, has been providing riding lessons to disabled children and adults in the area since 1972, and currently looks after 24 children aged under 11 and 22 aged 12 to 17.
Riding is a fun social activity for the children and helps to improve balance, co-ordination, muscle development and self-confidence.
It can also help with challenging behaviour problems by giving them a sense of independence.
Its equipment gets heavy wear over the years and can be damaged or contaminated.
Fibrus’s £1,000 grant will be used to replace gear that ensures the children can ride safely and also items that allow fun sessions which help them to develop their skills and confidence.
Mija Tinning, of Currock, Carlisle, who is nonverbal, looks forward to riding each week.
Mum Chelsea Gawthrop said: “Mija’s been coming for over two years now and it’s really helped her speech and confidence.”
Twelve-year-old Josh Graham, who lives just outside Eaglesfield near Annan, said: “I’ve been coming here for over seven years and I absolutely love it.
“Riding helps keep me fit and helps build up muscles I wouldn’t normally use.
“I’ve ridden Toby for those seven years. I love riding Toby, he’s a very special horse.
” I’ve taken part in the national championship three times now and finished third in the countryside challenge event on two occasions.”
Leanne Dobson, of Riding for the Disabled, said: “What we do here is very special so we’re hugely grateful to Fibrus for their generous support.”
The other Cumbrian clubs benefiting from the fund also included:
- Aspatria Football Club
- Broughton Red Rose juniors
- Carlisle City Under-13s
- Carlisle Cumberland & Westmorland Wrestling Club
- Cockermouth Cricket Club
- Flimby Vikings ARLFC
- Keswick Football Club
- Keswick Hockey Club
- Kirkby Lonsdale Netball Club
- Moor Row Football Club
- Penrith Canoe Club
- Radgie Rollers
- Seascale Cricket Club
- Silloth Juniors Football Club
- Wigton Cricket Club
- Wigton Harriers Juniors
- Workington Town Girls Football Club
- Carlisle Trampoline Club
- Dunnerholme Golf Club Junior Section, Askam-in-Furness
Linda McMillan, chief people officer at Fibrus, said: “We are committed to playing a role in improving the health and wellbeing of children and young people, so investing in local communities is very important to us.
“Our Play It Forward Fund is just one way we try to give back to the communities which we serve. I’m thrilled that it has continued into its third year, and it’s been great to see the positive impact it has made on clubs across the region.”
