HOYS donate clothing to a local children’s charity

Grandstand Media Ltd, organisers of Horse of the Year Show, helped to put a smile on the faces of many young pony-mad children over Christmas and New Year. The much-loved horse show donated three car loads of their past merchandise, which included t-shirts, hoodies and warm winter coats, to Ride High UK, a children’s charity based in Milton Keynes.

Ride High is a registered charity that works with some of the most disadvantaged and isolated children (aged 8-17 years) in Milton Keynes with the aim of transforming them into happy, confident young people who are positively engaged in the outside world. All of the children are referred by childcare professionals and they attend a two hour session at the farm each week spending time learning to ride and socialising in their clubroom. Time spent with the horses promotes confidence, self-esteem, responsible behaviour, respect and trust. Since its establishment in 2008, Ride High has changed the lives of over 700 children.

Spokesperson for Grandstand Media Ltd commented: “Having worked with Ride High UK in previous years, we were already familiar with the hard work they carry out and the difference they make to these children’s lives. When they said that over the winter months, they needed more clothing to keep the children warm and dry whilst they were at the Farm, we felt it would be a nice gesture for us to donate some of our left over stock from previous year’s Horse of the Year Show merchandise. A Christmas gift from us to them.”

Helen Dixon, Marketing and Fundraising Manager for Ride High UK said: “Thank you to Horse of the Year Show for donating the merchandise and riding equipment for our children. They were thrilled when they got to try it all on and it certainly put a smile on their face.”