Business leaders enjoying the hospitality
GPRDA (Gaddesden Place Riding For The Disabled) launched its Corporate Partner Networking last night at the yard to much acclaim from local businesses.
Solario Racing was one of two co-sponsors of the night, the other being BME AV Ltd, who provided the audio-visuals for the night.
GPRDA provides riding for handicapped children and adults throughout the year, some via schools and some private individuals. The range of disabilities is wide, including both severe physical and mental disadvantages. Unfortunately, rider income only covers about a third of the running costs of the charity, so we (I’m on the Board of Trustees) rely on grants and donations to meet the remaining two-thirds.
Young Eden performing dressage on Bramble
The Trustees and vounteers do an excellent job in fund-raising but it was felt time to raise the bar and get local business involved in sponsoring a pony or the charity in general, hence last night’s Champagne Networking launch. It costs around £120,000 to run the centre.
The evening began with Champagne and canapés as invitees from a range of businesses including jewellers, solicitors, telecoms, environmental waste and insurance companies learned about the charity, had an opportunity to ride “Champion” the mechanical horse and also watch some of the riding displays by some disabled young children.
There were free Wagyu burgers available throughout the evening which went down very well and the Champagne flowed throughout the two hours.
Sir Mike Penning, MP
Local MP for Hemel Hempstead, Sir Mike Penning, made a short but impassioned plea to the audience, some 50 in total, to consider contributing to GPRDA. Then Team Ireland, paralympian, Dr Tamsin Addison, was interviewed by yours truly telling her story of how she overcame bone cancer to become the first person in the world to regrow a bone in the arm (humerus). She then competed internationally at the Tokyo Olympics in the dressage. Wow!
It was a genuinely inspiring night and many companies (we are asking for £30 per rmonth via standing order) said they were very interested in getting involved. Indeed one company, Barnard and Webb employment solicitors signed up on the night!
Ony three people, all grooms are on the GPRDA payroll. All Trustees, volunteers and RDA coaches give their time totally for free. Wow again!
Thank you to everyone who volunteered to make the night a great success and thank you to all businesses who attended. We hope to see you again.
Please contact Simon Double at info@solarioracing.com if you wish to get involved in the Corporate Partner Network.
