WHEN coronavirus struck, all of Clwyd Special Riding Centre’s income ceased overnight but they still had 26 horses and ponies to care for.

For more than 30 years the Flintshire-based charity has been offering a variety of equine experiences for people with additional needs. The additional needs range from beneficiaries with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, veterans with sight impairment and limb loss, to users with mental health needs.

Clwyd Special Riding Centre offer everything from riding to carriage driving, equestrian vaulting, equine learning and therapy and hippotherapy.

The charity normally sees an average of 200 people a week but their work had to stop immediately because of coronavirus.

Centre manager Sorrel Taylor said: “Many of our beneficiaries have additional health needs so not one person could come here. All our sessions ceased and we could not run our fundraising events so our income stopped.

“Clwyd Special Riding Centre has to continue to function as we have 26 specially trained horses and ponies that still need looking after. We applied to the Steve Morgan Foundation for help and they awarded us £18,445.

“That money has been allocated for the next three months and it’s a life-saver because we have no income. The money was paid within a couple of days and it is humbling to have been included.

“We desperately want to get back to doing what we do once it’s safe to do so.”

Steve Morgan, founder of the Steve Morgan Foundation, said: “The Clwyd Special Riding Centre has been transforming people’s lives for more than 30 years and it’s absolutely essential the charity can continue their work when things return to normal.

“People come from far and wide to use the riding centre and we made the award to help them through this period when they’ve got no income.”