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HAIRDRESSER NO FOOL WITH HORSES
 This story was issued on 31 July and resulted in a slot on Tyne Tees TV, an interview on BBC Radio Cleveland and front page story in the Northern Echo!
When the Riding for the Disabled Association's Unicorn Centre, based at Hemlington, Middlesbrough, put out a plea for help with the transformation of a scruffy pony into a superstar, a local hairdresser galloped in to help.
Thirteen year old Dales pony Biggles had qualified with rider Kate Telford to compete at the national RDA Horse, Pony and Rider Championships, and with Sarah Smith in the Dressage Championships, at Hartpury College, Gloucester. Kate and Sarah would be looking their best in jodhpurs and jackets but unfortunately Biggles with his scruffy, rubbed-off mane, looked to be letting the side down.
Undaunted by the unusual query of hair styling for horses, Saks Hair of Stockton salon owner Lucas Robson agreed to help. He sent stylists Amy Sturgeon and Vicky Carr to the Unicorn Centre where they spent a whole morning putting hair extensions into Biggles' mane!
Stylist Amy said, "I've never had such an unusual morning in my career! Biggles stood like an angel throughout the session, and loved all the attention. Putting extensions in his mane wasn't as difficult as I thought, and the Centre had supplied a sample of his mane so we could get an exact colour match. This is certainly something to put on my CV!"
Centre Manager Claire Pitt added, "Biggles looks absolutely fabulous now - a typical Dales pony with long flowing mane and tail. He certainly won't let Kate and Sarah down now, and hopefully his behaviour in the Championships will match his beautiful appearance. We are so grateful to Lucas and his team for helping us out - perhaps this will mean that they can now offer a unique service to the horse world!"
PHOTO Saks stylists Amy Sturgeon (left) and Vicky Carr with Biggles.
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VOLUNTEER CO-ORDINATOR JOINS THE CENTRE
 The Riding for the Disabled Association's Unicorn Centre, based at Hemlington, Middlesbrough has employed a volunteer co-ordinator to help ease its shortage of volunteers.
Graduate Jenny Smith, 22 years, has been tasked to find new volunteers to help at the Centre, arrange for existing volunteers to be available for the lessons, and lead volunteer inductions and training.
Jenny, whose position was funded by a Tees Valley Delegated Grant from the Tees Valley Joint Strategy Unit said, “I really enjoy making a difference every day and the friendly atmosphere at the Centre makes it a great place to work."
Acting Centre Manager Heidi Hutchinson added, "Volunteers are the backbone of the Unicorn Centre. They help and support us in so many ways, such as leading and side walking in lessons, fundraising, looking after the horses and ponies, assisting with shows and events, and supporting over 170 local disabled riders who ride at the Centre each week.
"They don't have to have any prior knowledge of horse care as supervision and training is provided. They can also gain certificates of volunteering and improve and gain knowledge of horse care. "
The Centre offers new, present and past volunteers the chance to gain qualifications that can help and improve employment opportunities. Louise Dawson, Assistant Yard Manager at the Centre is a past volunteer. She said, “After volunteering at the Unicorn Centre for over a year, I realised working with horses and disabled riders was so rewarding that it inspired me to study a full time NVQ horse care course at the Centre. Successfully completing this then led to me being employed as a full time member of staff working at the Unicorn Centre.”
The Unicorn Centre will be holding an Open College Network three-week volunteering course funded by Middlesbrough Council. Starting on 8th January 2007, it is open to anyone 19 and over who wishes to learn more about volunteering and gain qualifications; up to 16 places are available. The course will provide learning opportunities and recognised qualifications and certificates in Volunteer Training, Horse Care, Health and Safety, and First Aid.
For more information about the Unicorn Centre and its volunteering opportunities please ring Unicorn Centre on 01642 576222 alternatively e-mail enquiries@unicorn-centre.freeserve.co.uk.
Issued 16.10.06 |
Darlington Building Society Donates £1000!
 | LYKE WAKE WALKERS LOOKING AFTER LOCAL INTERESTS
A team from Darlington Building Society has raised £1,100 for the Unicorn Centre at Hemlington by completing the 40 mile Lyke Wake Walk from Osmotherley to Ravenscar in 17 hours.
Despite torrential rain the team persevered and refused to let the poor weather prevent them from reaching their goal.
The Darlington Building Society team comprised Mark Woodcock, District Manager, Robert Murphy, Underwriting Manager, Peter Rowley, Chief Executive, Jude Cambell, Customer Sales Advisor and her partner, Phil Foster.
Three of the intrepid team attended a riding lesson recently at the Unicorn Centre and as well as meeting Centre managers they also met up with rider, Sam Hird and her horse, “Drummer”. Peter Rowley handed over the cheque to the Centre and said, “Although drenched at the finish of the walk and very tired, we were delighted to have raised much needed funds for the Unicorn Centre to support the great work it does in providing riding facilities for disabled, disadvantaged and handicapped young people throughout the region. We are grateful not only to our sponsors, but also to the support team who met us at check points along the route and kept us going with food, drink and encouragement.”
He continued, “Darlington Building Society and its staff are dedicated to looking after local interests and we are always looking to support our local communities in any way we can. Although this exercise stretched us to the limit it was worth it when we experienced the gratitude of the staff and riders at the Unicorn Centre.”
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CYCLISTS GIVE GENEROUSLY TO DISABLED RIDING CENTRE
 | Issued 29.11.07
Over 200 cyclists took part in a 30 mile sponsored bike ride in May starting and finishing at Stokesley Co-op and have raised a whopping £7267.50 for the Riding for the Disabled Association’s Unicorn Centre based at Hemlington, Middlesbrough.
The first charity ride took place in 1998, and since then the kind-hearted cyclists have raised over £70,000 for charities such as Zoe’s Place, the Butterwick Hospice and Breathe Easy.
The cheque was presented to the Centre at a social event at the Dog & Gun, Potto by organiser Paul Mackintosh, who said, “We aimed to raise about £5000 for the Centre, so this amount has completely exceeded our expectations. Everyone had a great time on the day, and we are very grateful to the Co-op for their sponsorship.”
Heidi Hutchinson, Unicorn Centre Yard Manager received the cheque along with Assistant Yard Manager Louise Dowson and Unicorn Centre volunteer Catherine Bullen, who both took part in the ride. Heidi said, “The cyclists have raised a fantastic amount for us, and we are so grateful for all their efforts. The money will go towards several projects we have planned to improve the services we provide for our riders.”
PHOTO: L to R: Louise Downson, Assistant Yard Manager, Unicorn Centre, volunteer Caroline Bullen and Heidi Hutchinson, Yard Manager, Unicorn Centre
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UNICORN CENTRE CELEBRATES TEN YEARS WITH BURSARY FOR RIDERS
Issued 14 January 2008
The Riding for the Disabled Association’s Unicorn Centre, based at Hemlington, near Middlesbrough, will be celebrating a major milestone in 2008 – its 10th anniversary.
This state-of-the-art riding facility opened its doors for the first time in April 1998 following a lottery grant of £1.16 million, and HRH The Princess Royal officially opened the Centre in November 1998.
To commemorate this special Anniversary the Centre Trustees have decided to set up a Bursary called “Ten” to provide support for some of the Centre’s disabled and disadvantaged riders. The aim of the bursary is to help them achieve their full potential in riding therapy or the sport of horse riding with the emphasis on inclusion with able bodied riders. This may take the form of sponsorship for riding tuition, travel subsistence, riding holidays, equipment or clothing.
Local companies, organisations and individuals are being asked to pledge support to the appeal by making a donation to the bursary and help support these talented youngsters and adults.
Chairman of Trustees Mrs Julie Elphee said, “We are very proud of the Centre’s achievements over the last ten years, and felt that a bursary to support our riders was a good way of commemorating the Anniversary. Our riders continue to amaze us with their capabilities but some need financial support to progress their riding to higher levels. Hopefully the Ten Bursary will go some way towards making that happen.
“We want to raise £10,000 in donations to the Ten Bursary this year – a high target, but appropriate for our ten year Anniversary! I hope we will get lots of support. “
For further information about making a donation to the Ten Bursary contact the Unicorn Centre on 10642 576222 or see www.communigate.co.uk/ne/unicorn.
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UNICORN CENTRE CELEBRATES ITS 10TH ANNIVERSARY IN ROYAL COMPANY
 | The Unicorn Centre, based at Hemlington, near Middlesbrough, has celebrated its 10th Anniversary with a visit from the President of the Riding for the Disabled Association, The Princess Royal.
Preparations had gone on for weeks, and the Centre was looking its best when HRH Princess Anne arrived on the cold, sunny morning of 8th April.
The Princess was introduced to Trustees and presented with a posy from Centre Manager Claire Pitt’s sons, Jamie and Jack. She then cut the ribbon on a new wrought iron gate that had been especially commissioned to commemorate the Centre’s birthday. The gate, constructed by inmates of nearby Kirklevington Grange Prison, is flanked by two carved sandstone pillars of riders on horseback, which have the names of Centre benefactors carved into them. The pillars were erected when the Centre was first opened in 1998.
After inspecting an amazing art display made by riders, students and volunteers using a tutor, Jackie Beaumont, and materials funded by a NRF Small Grants fund of £10,000, the Princess watched three riding displays and two presentations. The displays showed therapy riding, a grade testing lesson and a “Quadrille” – a dressage ride to music by four senior riders.
HRH The Princes Royal then presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to rider Susan Wilcox, 33 years, who has ridden at the Centre since it opened, and an RDA rider since the tender age of two! Susan, a veteran of three Special Olympics games, including representing her country at the World Games in the USA in 1999, was bowled over by the unexpected presentation.
“I wasn’t expecting this at all,” Susan said, “It was a complete surprise, but it was lovely to meet the Princess”.
The Princess was invited to cut the Centre’s birthday cake by Trustee Julie Elphee and she then presented rosettes to riders, volunteers, students and staff. This was the highlight of the morning for all. Her Royal Highness talked to each person individually, spending time discussing their involvement with the Centre and demonstrating her knowledge of RDA and the Unicorn Centre in particular.
The visit continued with the Princess unveiling a plaque in the Conference Room to commemorate the day, where she met sponsors, funders and supporters of the Unicorn Centre.
Centre Manager Claire Pitt summed up the day: “We are so proud of this Centre, and we were thrilled to be able to show the Her Royal Highness and all the guests how much we’ve achieved over the last ten years. It’s been a fantastic day that we’ll remember for years, and we hope that all the publicity will generate plenty of funding for us.”
PHOTO: HRH The Princess Royal presenting the Lifetime Achievement Award to Susan Wilcox |
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