Celebrating Tauranga’s volunteers

Volunteer of the year Lorraine Grantham with Tauranga RDA manager Elisha Olds and equine therapy horse, Cracker. Photo: Sam Gardner

Tauranga Riding for the Disabled is one of many organisations celebrating the hundreds of hours committed by volunteers each week.

The organisation has a strong team of 115 volunteers who support riders each week.

Tauranga Riding for the Disabled offers equine therapy to anyone with disabilities and social challenges.

The organisation is growing, with increasing demands on its services with an ever- increasing waiting list.

The Equestrian Therapy Centre runs a six-day-a-week operation, catering for 140 riders each week.

Manager, Elisha Olds, says volunteers are at the heart of the organisation and to honour this, the organisation held a special event on Friday to celebrate them.

Lorraine Grantham was named as volunteer of the year with Gemma Benton being awarded youth volunteer of the year.

'Lorraine is passionate and committed to our cause. She gives us two days a week to volunteer in the programme supporting our riders to achieve their goals.

'She goes above and beyond regularly, during the holidays Lorraine has been known to come into the office to collect administration work, or take home all of the saddle blankets and get them laundered. Your dedication deserves this recognition”

Elisha hopes more people will put their hands up to assist with volunteer work.

'Those interested need have no previous experience as full training will be provided.

'We urge people to visit and see if Tauranga RDA is somewhere they feel they can invest their time.

'Those who commit will be involved in an organisation that is passionate and committed to the cause of offering equine therapy to better lives,” she says.

For more information call 07 544 1899, email info@taurangarda.co.nz or visit the Taruanga Riding for the Disabled website.

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