A CHARITY offering people with disabilities the opportunity to ride has received a day’s help from a Crediton company.

Fourteen employees from Ernest Jackson spent a day helping the Erme Valley Riding for the Disabled Group, near Ugborough.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the unique equestrian facility provides horseriding tuition for those with disabilities.

The centre relies on donations and support from the local community, and the hard work of 180 volunteers, who help with lessons. Sometimes as many as three volunteers are required for each disabled rider, and the charity is crying out for more people to give their time.

Volunteers were therefore grateful when the visitors helped with weeding and painting, tidied up paddocks, and helped level the surface in the indoor riding arena.

Ernest Jackson manufactures pharmaceutical and vitamin products. This is the second year staff from the company have volunteered to spend a day at the centre.

Founder of the Erme Valley RDA Peggy Douglas said: ‘We are yet again very grateful to the team from Ernest Jackson, who have saved us many hours work.

‘We don’t have any paid staff so our volunteers spend their time helping to support riders. We are very short of volunteers, so if anyone could help out on a regular basis we would be very grateful.’

For more information, visit the centre’s website: www.ridingatthebrook.co.uk.