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ANNUAL REVIEW & ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023
Epsom RDA’s vision is to improve health and well-being through the therapeu:c power of horses.
We are a thriving charity providing therapy, fun and achievement for nearly 200 disabled par:cipants delivered by a team of over 150 volunteers and our own herd of ponies. We hold riding sessions every day; each one is unique in terms of the people we support, and coaching is adapted to the needs of each par:cipant.
The therapeu:c benefits of interac:ons with horses are well recognised. Riding helps exercise and strengthen muscles, mobilises joints, and helps par:cipants develop their balance, independence, and sensory percep:on. Being able to spend :me caring for horses also has a posi:ve impact on confidence levels, rela:onship building, and communica:on skills be it for riders or our team of dedicated volunteers. Each session, whether it is riding or learning about caring about horses, is planned to encourage our par:cipants to enjoy themselves and from that enjoyment gain emo:onal, social, educa:onal, and physical benefits.
Our over-arching ambi:on for the coming year is to increase the number of people we support, broaden our offer and increase our impact. We will do this by offering more opportuni:es to ride for people on our wai:ng list as well as developing more non-ridden ac:vi:es including tea with a pony and hippotherapy.
Our goal is to ensure that even more disabled people benefit from the therapeu:c power of horses.
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CONTENT
| CONTENT | |
|---|---|
| Foreword from Epsom RDA Chair Laura Hales | 3 |
| Par:cipants | 4 |
| Volunteers | 4 |
| Horses and Ponies | 5 |
| Grounds & Property | 6 |
| Fundraising & Events | 7 |
| Communica:ons | 8 |
| Health & Safety | 8 |
| Planning for the Future | 9 |
| Financial Review and Accounts | 10 |
| Governance | 27 |
| Safeguarding | 27 |
| Trustees as at 31 March 2023 | 28 |
| Administra:on and contact details | 29 |
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FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023
CHAIR FOREWORD
It has been an excep:onally busy and produc:ve year at Epsom RDA.
On a sad note, 2022 brought the news of the deaths of two of our long-serving colleagues and former session leaders: Hazel Ransome in March, and Mary Clarke in July. In April of this year, we were able to honour Hazel and Mary, along with their fellow trustee, Pauline Humphries, who died in April 2017, by dedica:ng to their memory new trees in Northside field, recycled from the Hampton Court Flower Show. Together, Pauline, Hazel and Mary contributed over 100 years of service to Epsom RDA.
Trustees have been thinking hard about our priori:es. There is a lot we do very well at Epsom RDA as well as so much more that we could do. In 2022 we considered our top priori:es and are pleased to have set out the following three:
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★[To deliver a varied and worthwhile experience to enhance health and well-being; this includes ] ensuring par:cipants have ac:vi:es suitable to their level and opportuni:es to progress, broadening our offer to include non-ridden ac:vi:es and improving the volunteer experience;
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★[To maximise the number of par:cipants able to benefit from being with horses; this includes ] improving the management of our wai:ng list, maximising the number of riders at each session and inves:ng in volunteer recruitment, training and reten:on;
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★[To be an excellent organisa:on that is financially robust with a mixed revenue funding model; ] this includes developing a fundraising strategy, ensuring that we meet our obliga:ons on governance and health & safety, communica:ng effec:vely and commi\ng to being a diverse and inclusive charity.
2022 also saw the return of our events programme which included tack sales, pole clinics and lectures. We held a fascina:ng lecture on biomechanics, and animal behaviour with Sarah Sjoholm Pa:ence. This was fantas:c opportunity for our coaches and volunteers to learn more about how to get the most from horse and rider. Open to the public, it also raised awareness and funds for our charity. A carol concert was held in December which saw a number of our riders and equines perform in a na:vity. We even had snow! We owe a big thanks to the fundraising team for all the effort they have put in.
Investment in our facili:es con:nued and we completed our new car and cycle parking. The facili:es are already proving to be essen:al in terms of accommoda:ng par:cipants as well as guests for our successful events. Safety is also improved by separa:ng cars, riders and the horses. Our thanks to the Peter Harrison Trust and Epsom and Ewell Borough Council for their contribu:ons.
A team of volunteers has also transformed our sensory track. The plan:ng, weeding and pain:ng has turned the space into a highly valued addi:onal ac:vity for our riders.
Laura Hales - Chair
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PARTICIPANTS
In 2023-2023 we delivered 2,017 sessions of therapy for 197 people1. This is both a reason to celebrate as well as something to improve upon as we look to increase our impact. We currently have 309 people on our wai:ng list and so must think differently, challenge ourselves and increase our ambi:on if we are to get closer to mee:ng this demand over the years ahead.
We were delighted for our par:cipants that were able to compete this year. Epsom RDA had the highest number of qualifiers at the Southeast Region Dressage compe::on that took place in May 2022 at Plumpton College. Five of our riders won their classes and another two came second and qualified for the Na:onal Championships at Hartpury in Gloucestershire. Unfortunately, the extreme heat in July forced the Na:onal Championships to be suspended on the Sunday which meant that many of our riders could not take part. Nonetheless, we saw great success on the Saturday with one of our riders being placed 12[th] in the highly compe::ve dressage class and another winning the arts and crabs compe::on and coming second in the photography compe::on.
Whether compe:ng or not, we are proud of all of our par:cipants and their achievements over the last year.
VOLUNTEERS
As our par:cipants returned, so too did our volunteers and the number of volunteers con:nues to grow. We are very grateful for the enthusiasm and commitment of all our volunteers.
We have rolled out a series of training sessions which have been well acended by both experienced and new volunteers. We have had full stage one and two training sessions and hosted special lectures on biomechanics, equine behaviour and an equine chiroprac:c demonstra:on.
We were delighted to be able to acknowledge the commitment and
achievements of our volunteers during our Annual Prize Giving in November. Our Long Service awards included six wonderful volunteers who have each provided over 25 years of devo:on and one who has volunteered for an amazing half century! We presented Over and Above Awards to several volunteers in recogni:on of them taking on far more than we normally ask of volunteers. This included looking aber horses when they were unwell, to ensuring that all our ponies receive
1 RDA National Annual Return 2022-23
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the best possible care and acen:on. Those same volunteers were also willing to help at fundraising events and corporate days.
We aim to keep recrui:ng volunteers; we s:ll need more help with maintenance roles and have a couple of trustee posi:ons to fill. In return for their hard work, we aim to l ensure that our excellent volunteers receive the recogni:on and training they deserve and require.
HORSE AND PONIES
This year has seen the con:nuing challenge of finding new horses to join our herd. We have spent the year ac:vely looking for new horses to buy or loan and in par:cular, for a weight carrying horse to help out Romeo and Spice. Despite having a few horses on trial from two different dealers, we haven’t yet managed to secure that perfect weight carrier to join us. We will con:nue the search.
We did find Tom this year. Tom is a 15hh, 15-yearold cob who joined us in January 2023. Tom was previously used in the riding school at Lower Morden Equestrian Centre and is absolutely brilliant with our lead rein riders, providing a safe, steady ride. Off the lead rein he is a licle slow but with some encouragement he can be persuaded to join in!
In March, we said a very sad farewell to Moss. Moss had been a part of Epsom RDA for 16 years and at 29 years old was one of the oldest members of the herd. Moss will be missed by everyone and remembered for all the joy he brought to so many lives, from those just star:ng out and learning to ride to those who had progressed to the Na:onal Championships, where he represented us many :mes and became a na:onal dressage champion.
In May 2022, we took a team of riders and four horses to the Regional Dressage Compe::on at
Tom
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Plumpton College and several of our riders qualified for the Na:onal Championships. Unfortunately, due to the heatwave in July, the Na:onal Championships were cut short by one day resul:ng in many of our riders compe:ng in a virtual compe::on instead, but Romeo s:ll made the trip to Hartpury College (along with Dazz as his companion, because who wants to travel without a friend) and both were superstars.
The schooling and hacking teams con:nue to keep our ponies exercised so that they are fit and ready for their jobs. The schooling team of volunteers work with the ponies weekly and have regular lessons with external instructors to build their knowledge and to make sure the ponies are all benefi\ng as much as possible from the sessions. Phyl Cambridge, who had been our external instructor for many years, decided to re:re this year and we would like to extend our thanks to Phyl for all the work she has done over the years to keep our ponies fit. We were pleased to welcome Becca Vincent as our new schooling team instructor. Becca used to be a Saturday volunteer so knows us well and we are sure that she will keep up the good work that Phyl started. We also con:nue to work with Sarah Sjoholm-Pa:ence. Sarah is an Interna:onal Grand Prix dressage rider and is experienced in working with para riders and RDA groups. Her wealth of experience is a great asset to the team.
GROUNDS & PROPERTY
A number of upgrades and investments were delivering in 2022-23 and it con:nued to be a busy year for our volunteer maintenance and gardening team.
In December 2022 we received a dona:on of 600 trees from Epsom and Ewell Tree Advisory Board. The idea is to provide shade for the horses as well as screening along our boundary. We were fortunate to have secured the help of around 60 volunteer women and girls from the Ahmadiyya Women’s Associa:on who helped us plant the trees on a very cold and wet Sunday abernoon in January.
Summer 2022 saw the comple:on of our new car park, ligh:ng and cycle racks. Having the car park separate from where our riders and equines move around has improved the safety on site. We are also pleased to be able to offer
secure, accessible and dry cycle parking for our par:cipants and volunteers who cycle to Epsom RDA.
Work on our sensory track ramped up in 2022 with a group of volunteers, both exis:ng and new to Epsom RDA swinging into ac:on. We now have a team of around 12 volunteers who regularly work on the track. In addi:on to weeding, plan:ng, pain:ng and building, they have also secured
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dona:ons of materials from local businesses. All of this work will ensure that our riders have a s:mula:ng and interes:ng space in which to improve their riding skills.
With parts of our site being over 100 years old and with the harsh Bri:sh weather some of our infrastructure is struggling to cope. Summer saw our water pipes burst, possibly due to the extreme heat and in winter, we had another pipe burst, during a cold spell. A huge thank you to our maintenance volunteers who laid new pipes with characteris:c efficiency and competence.
Thank you to all of our maintenance and gardening volunteers who keep our grounds safe and in good working order and a delight to be around.
FUNDRAISING AND EVENTS
Just as we were star:ng to recover from the financial challenges of Covid we have had to face rising prices bought on by the cost-of-living crisis. As ever, Epsom RDA has risen to the challenge in the form of the new Funding Raising Team. Over the last year we have seen the return of our events programme which included tack sales, pole clinics and lectures. The events not only were a fantas:c opportunity for our coaches and volunteers to learn more about how to get the most from horse and rider, but they were open to the public which raised funds for the charity. A carol concert was held in December which saw a number of our riders and equines perform in a na:vity. We even had snow! We owe a big thanks to the Fund-Raising Team for all the effort they have put in.
Our strategy to fund projects that are in addi:on to our day to day running costs through grant making bodies and trust funds is s:ll paying dividends as we have received sponsorship from the Peter Harrison Trust and Epsom and Ewell Borough Council who contributed to the new car park and cycle facility. In addi:on, we received funding from James Jar of Gibs (JJoG) who sponsored the team that acended the Na:onal dressage compe::on at Hartpury.
We are also con:nually thankful for the dona:ons we receive from various organisa:ons and individuals. In par:cular, we were offered the opportunity recently to collect dona:ons at the end of a concert by Soundbytes Choir at the Peace Hall in Ashtead. We were so pleased to find that we collected over a £1000.
In August, a team of young people from the Na:onal Ci:zenship Service (NCS) raised over £1,600 for us by doing a sponsored walk from London to Epsom as well as holding a cake sale in the town centre. They also spent a day on site gardening, weeding and :dying the grounds. A huge thanks to the team for this remarkable contribu:on. We con:nue to have an on-line fundraising presence including the Easy Fundraising portal, which enables shoppers to raise dona:ons whilst shopping online. We have also had success with the Just Giving portal which gives our supporters an efficient means of dona:ng money from several different sources including sponsored events and memorial collec:ons. We will be con:nuing to further develop our fundraising partnerships and explore more opportuni:es for trust and grant funding.
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COMMUNICATIONS
The aim of our communica:ons is twofold; the first is looking externally, to encourage support for our ac:vi:es including on volunteer recruitment and fundraising by telling the story of what we do and how we help to a wide audience. Secondly, within ERDA, our volunteers have told us they want to be more up to date with what is going on within Epsom RDA and to feel part of one ERDA community. We have started to priori:se internal communica:ons, re-launching the volunteer survey and establishing a monthly update from the trustees email to all volunteers. We also welcomed our first dedicated social media and communica:ons manager who is engaging people from all walks of life to help us achieve our par:cipa:on, development and fundraising goals.
In March 2023, our marke:ng and communica:ons trustee resigned. Recruitment for her replacement is ongoing and we aim to join up our fundraising and events and communica:ons ac:vi:es further in 2023
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Throughout the year essen:al training has con:nued for our volunteers. We have introduced Fire Marshals to our sessions, with training being held for our session leaders and coaches. We con:nue to review our processes and procedures to endeavouring to follow best prac:ce in all of our health and safety measures.
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PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
2023 will see the start of our work in terms of delivering on our strategic objec:ves which are to:
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★ To deliver a varied and worthwhile experience to enhance health and well-being; this includes ensuring par:cipants have ac:vi:es suitable to their level and opportuni:es to progress, broadening our offer to include non-ridden ac:vi:es and improving the volunteer experience;
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★ To maximise the number of par:cipants able to benefit from being with horses; this includes improving the management of our wai:ng list, maximising the number of riders at each session and inves:ng in volunteer recruitment, training and reten:on;
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★ To be an excellent organisa:on that is financially robust with a mixed revenue funding model; this includes developing a fundraising strategy, ensuring that we meet our obliga:ons on governance and health & safety, communica:ng effec:vely and commi\ng to being a diverse and inclusive charity.
With work on the new car and cycle parking facili:es complete, we are in a much becer posi:on to expand and offer more community and fundraising events.
As ever, our focus in 2023 will be on ge\ng the most from, and increasing the herd so that we can improve the quality of experience for our riders.
Measuring and increasing our impact will be a focus for 2023, as will listening to our exis:ng par:cipants and volunteers so that we can offer an even becer service in 2023 and beyond.
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FINANCIAL REVIEW AND ACCOUNTS
The financial year ended 31st March 2023 has Epsom RDA returning to our usual level of par:cipa:on following the return of all riders since Covid.
Overview
For the year ended 31st March 2023 the charity showed an annual opera:ng surplus of c.£30k (£563 loss in 2021-22). These figures do not include any income or expenditure related to the Indoor School project (now renamed as Future Strategy costs to recognise the rising costs of building work and repriori:sa:on of future developments) which is classed as non-opera:ng expenses and income. The total loss for the year, which reflects the comple:on of the car park (cost of c.£96k), was c.£59k (against a surplus of c.£26k in 2021-22) This comprised total opera:ng income of c.£98k (c.£59k in 2021-22) with opera:ng expenses of c.£29k (c.£520k in 2021-22).
In addi:on, we have received a sum of £8K from the Epsom and Ewell Community Fund which has been awarded for the building of the new car park. The grant received last year from the Peter Harrison Trust (£30k) has been fully u:lised in funding the car park which was phase 1 of the future strategy plan and secures our current planning permission. Related to the same project there were non-opera:ng expenses, of c.£96k (c.£6k in 2021-22).
This reflects the support we have had from donors, par:cipants, Epsom and Ewell Community fund, the legacy of Pauline Humphries and the policy of the Trustees to limit expenditure in the year to essen:al expenses for the upkeep of the herd and buildings and to limit major works spend to those related to safety.
Income
As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic funds had decreased in the prior 2 financial years. The trustees took the opportunity to review the fee level for 2022-23. The current cost of delivering a session for a par:cipant, be that riding or a pony care session, is c.£30. The trustees agreed that we would increase the fee to £10 for 2022-23. The policy was also updated so that ins:tu:ons pay a minimum fee a term in advance. This ensures that the charity recoups expenses and funding is more stable.
The total income for the year is standing at c.£98k which is higher than the c.£59k in 2021-22. This is in contrast with our last full year of riding of c.£79K in 2019/20 and reflects the effect of the increased fee. There was an increase in service fees (ride money) from c.£17k in 2021/22 to c.£35k in 2022-32. Dona:ons for 2021-22 were c.£25k and aber a drop from the previous year we have seen dona:ons increase to c.£47k which reflects our ability to be able to hold on site fundraising events as well as par:cipa:ng in other locally arranged events.
Tack sales con:nue to acract good levels of interest contribu:ng c.£5k in 2022-23. Dona:ons of goods for the tack sales remains strong and the trustees have agreed to repurpose space at the yard to enable Carol Reyes and the team to have a permanent home for tack sales.
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We remain grateful to all the individual par:cipants who returned to access our services and were happy to pay the updated fee. Our thanks too to Papillon House School who donated funds over and above the service fee due.
We have also received support from generous donors including: -
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★ The Thompson Family Trust
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★ St Mark’s and Mitcham Buffalos
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★ Ewell Club Inner Wheel of Kingston
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★ HOGGS golf club
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★ Papillon School
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★ Leumi Bank
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★ The family of Joyce Hill a former session leader and volunteer who donated in her memory
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★ The Ladies from Ruxley Lane Methodist Church
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★ Probus Club
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★ Soundbytes choir and all the people who donated
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★ Former Par:cipants who con:nue to donate monthly
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★ Annece Emery Gemstone Jewellery who con:nues to make and sell jewellery with the profits used to buy items we need for our ponies
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★ Clare Cooper – aber what she described as a “milestone birthday” Clare signed up to the challenge of running a half marathon and raised £1050 for us.
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Of course, we are also grateful for all the dona:ons we receive from volunteers, friends and rela:ons of par:cipants, the local allotments and gardeners who donate when collec:ng our quality manure, hot chocolate reindeers and pocket money as these unrestricted funds go directly to suppor:ng the upkeep of the herd and their home to the benefit of our par:cipants. We are also grateful for the volunteers who never claim expenses, and organisa:ons who give us :me and labour.
Expenditure
The upkeep of the herd forms a major part of our outgoings. This year our herd (12 ponies at year end – 11 of which are part of our ac:ve herd with Tandi being on a one-year loan for re-schooling) cost c.£27k (c.£18k in 2021/22 when we had 13 ponies) which includes expenses for feed, hay, farriers, den:st, vet, and various equipment including tack. The increase in expenditure is due the rising costs of hay and feed and services. Vet’s bills of c.£3k for the care of Moss have been covered by a generous dona:on from the Thompson Family fund o have also agreed to cover the bill for the remainder of his treatment. A further c.£1.3k was donated by JJoG for a new saddle for Shannon. This excludes the cost of purchasing new herd members. (21/22 purchases of c£15K less sale of c. £1k versus c£12K in 22/23). Following the year end, we have returned a pony that came on trial and a refund of c.£9k has been received.
The average cost of keeping a herd member during the last year was £2,150, an increase from the previous year where it was £1,384 per annum. This is the equivalent of £41 per week which is ac. 60% increase on the prior year. So, a dona:on of £6 can buy a bale of hay, £30 pays for a pony to be visited by the farrier and £25 pays for a visit from the equine den:st.
Our next expense is in keeping the site safe, secure, and well maintained. The cost of maintaining the buildings and grounds in 2022/23 was c. £22K with an addi:onal c.£96k for the car park build (which included £6k on the future strategy) of which c.£3k (c.£9k in 2020/21) was for major works where investment from previous years led to us being in a posi:on of general maintenance rather than constant upgrading. In January the safety regula:ons regarding riding hates changed which meant we had to update all our riding hats to ensure rider safety. Na:onal RDA secured a discount with a major retailer but, as we have to have a mix of sizes and shapes of
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hat, the total charge for renewing all hats was c.£5k. With special thanks to the Thursday session and Annece Emery Gemstones for raising an addi:onal £600 to allow them to have the right hats for their session.
Other expenses include insurance, u:li:es, training, security, and general office expenses. All essen:al to our opera:on but the rise for 2022-23 reflect the general economic posi:on as all costs have increased during the year. To mi:gate this the trustees have ensured all contracts for maintenance of the site have been reviewed to ensure best value for money. As always, we are grateful to Steve and the maintenance team for all their hard work keeping our site safe and well maintained. Also, to the gardening team for maintaining the sensory track and general garden spaces.
Reserves
As a charity we are in the fortunate posi:on that we have always been prudent with our use of incoming funds versus expenditure. At the end of 2022/23 we had c £211K cash in hand in various bank accounts (c.£268k in 2021/22).
The Trustees have several ring-fences in place on this money:
Future Strategy Fund (formerly Indoor School Project) - £100k in 2021-22 now £0
Having received several legacies, the Trustees agreed to contribute £100k of funds to the work needed to build the new indoor school. Ini:al spending was on planning fees and related surveys. The car park, which was due to be completed in 2021/22, was delayed by the need for an addi:onal drainage survey. This has now been completed and the future strategy fund was used to build the car park in 2022/23. During 2021/22 we received a grant of £30k from the Peter Harrison Trust towards the indoor school project which was also used for the car park build. A grant of £8k was received from Epsom and Ewell Community Funds to allow us to provide ligh:ng for the car park but the remainder of the costs were met through using the remainder of the designated funds as stated in the financial statements. In recogni:on of the changing economic condi:ons, the trustees have decided not to con:nue with the indoor school project. The remaining funds will instead be invested in exis:ng assets, and as a result the project funds have been renamed “the future strategy fund”. Trustees have re-priori:sed the upda:ng and improving of the site so we can have dedicated fund raising and maximise our service provision by inves:ng in smaller projects.
Minimum Reserves as required by the Charity Commission - £120K
All chari:es have a statutory duty to set minimum reserves to ensure their con:nued status as a going concern. Our minimum reserves were set some years ago to be held at a year running costs. This was ini:ally set at £50k but has increased to £60k in 2021/22 to recognise rising costs. Given the current economic climate the trustees have agreed that this should be raised to c.£120k and it
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will be reviewed during the year so that it reflects current costs. These funds are there for dire emergencies and can only be u:lised for general running costs should our status change and we need to use them to remain a going concern.
Funds available for use – c.£91k
This is the cash we have in hand that we can use to keep our herd fed and well, to maintain our land and buildings and to make improvements for the safety, wellbeing, and enhancement of our offer to our par:cipants. We also keep a further amount to funds in the designated funds account men:oned above for major works to ensure our site is safe and secure for our herd and our par:cipants.
During 2020/21 the Trustees delegated authority to the Finance commicee to manage the running of the charity by alloca:ng budgets to designated Trustees who have the responsibility for property management, health, safety and cleaning, the upkeep of the herd and general running costs (e.g., insurance, rubbish removal, u:li:es, professional services including the bank account, audit fees etc). The Finance commicee have full authority to spend within their budgets and there is a procurement process which was agreed by the Trustees which gives us a framework to ensure we spend wisely and get the best value forx money we can. This is all part of our enhanced Governance and has con:nued to work well during 2022/32. The commicee has reviewed its terms of reference and is now the Finance, Performance and Governance Commicee (FPGC).
In addi:on, the FPGC have set up a major works (capital expenditure rather than general running costs which are opera:onal costs) list which logs all the non-essen:al work needed to improve our environment. They can recommend to the Trustees any major spend e.g., in 2022/23 this included the renewal of riding hats, upda:ng emergency ligh:ng, undertaking a full electrical and fire safety survey of the site. This list is split into those works that will become essen:al, other work that would be good to do in the right economic climate and projects that could be funded by donors. This list is helpful when we are approached by organisa:ons who express an interest in funding us but wish but wish to invest in a specific project or item.
In addi:on, Epsom RDA owns:
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★[The freehold of St Ebba's Farm, which cost £84,657 (inclusive of legal fees). ]
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★[Equipment including two tractors, a trailer, three harrows, a grass cucer and sundry other ] tractor acachments,
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★[A hand operated motor mower, a strimmer and various workshop tools, compe::on fences, ] poles, and games
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★[equipment with an approximate current value of £15,000 (2021 - £15,000) ]
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Notes to the accounts
Restricted Funds
We have had £13,490 added to our restricted funds during the year. This consisted of £1,828 from JJoG for acendance at Hartpury and a new saddle for Shannon; £315 from Annece Emery Gemstones for a sheepskin saddle; £2,747 from the Thompson Family trust for Moss’s vet's bill; £8,000 from Epsom and Ewell Community Fund for the car park; £600 from the Thursday session for new riding hats. During the year these funds have all been fully u:lised and we end the year with no restricted funds.
Designated Funds
The Designated Fund is £44,595 (closing balance as at 31st March 2022 £138,764). The trustees designated £20,000 (total of £11,947 spent in the year all from designated funds of which £8,700 has been refunded in April 2023) towards the purchase of new herd members and the costs related to said purchases. A further £49,645 was invested in the car park build. £3,614 was designated to the purchase of new riding hats. The remaining £4,875 was used to provide maintenance to the site including tree removal, new stable roof and other essen:al site work. This designated fund represents amounts set aside by the trustees out of the general fund to meet the cost of future improvements to the property and the purchase of new herd members. The interest on the balance in the Fund provides income for general purposes to help meet the Group’s running expenses.
The following projects have been iden:fied by the Trustees, for implementa:on as and when funds become available: -
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★[To purchase equipment necessary for maintaining the estate. ]
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★[To maintain or expand our herd which, although it has been added to over the past year, will ] need to be expanded further as par:cipants return and in recogni:on of the age of the some of the current herd members.
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★[Future Strategy ini:a:ves have been iden:fied and the trustees have agreed these will be ] funded through specific fundraising
During the year the Finance commicee carried out work as held on the capital project list. This included:
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★[essen:al maintenance work needed to ensure the safety and upkeep of our buildings and ] ground
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★[provision of equipment for the herd and par:cipants ]
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★[The building of the car park ]
as well as a list of other projects where donors require a specific use for the funding being offered.
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ANNUAL REVIEW & ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023
Assurance of Financial posi:on
As Laura Hales stepped up as chair on 1[st] March 2023 then assurance on the true and fair view of Ray Lee as previous chair was sought on the accuracy of the financial posi:on as well as his assurance that the correct financial processes had been observed.
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ANNUAL REVIEW & ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023
EPSOM RIDING FOR THE DISABLED ASSOCIATION INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] MARCH 2023 TO THE TRUSTEES
I report on the accounts of Epsom Riding for the Disabled Associa:on for the year ended 31 March 2023, which are set out on pages 3 to 8.
Respec:ve responsibili:es of Trustees and examiner
The Charity’s Trustees are responsible for the prepara:on of the accounts. The Charity’s Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under sec:on 144 of the Chari:es Act 2011 (the Chari:es Act) and that an independent examina:on is needed. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts, under Sec:on 145 of the Chari:es Act, following the procedures laid down in the General Direc:ons given by the Charity Commissioners, (under sec:on 145(5)(b) of the Chari:es Act) and to state whether par:cular macers have come to our acen:on.
Basis of independent examiner’s report
My examina:on was carried out in accordance with the General Direc:ons given by the Charity Commissioners. An examina:on includes a review of the accoun:ng records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes considera:on of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explana:ons from you as trustees concerning any such macers. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a “true and fair” view and the report is limited to those macers set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner’s statement
In connec:on with my examina:on, no macer has come to my acen:on:
-
(a) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
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to keep accoun:ng records in accordance with sec:on 130 of the Chari:es Act; and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accoun:ng records and to comply with the accoun:ng requirements of the Chari:es Act have not been met; or
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(b) To which, in my opinion, acen:on should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
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ANNUAL REVIEW & ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023
T W Slater ACA,CTA Harmer Slater Limited Chartered Accountants 79a High Street Teddington Middlesex TW11 8HG
18 May 2023
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ANNUAL REVIEW & ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023
Receipts and Payments Accounts Income and Expenditure Epsom Riding for the Disabled Associa:on inc Carriage Driving For the year ended 31 March 2023
| General | Restricted | Restricted | Designated | Total 2023 | Total 2022 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purposes | Funds | Funds | ||||||||
| Income | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |||||
| Ride Money | 35,238.00 | 35,238.00 | 16,066.00 | |||||||
| Livery Fees | 5,450 | 5,450 | 5,048.00 | |||||||
| Use of | School | 1,875 | 1,875 | 1,375.00 | ||||||
| Sale of ponies | 0 | 0 | 1,200.00 | |||||||
| Interest income | 617 | 617 | 1,264.00 | |||||||
| Total Regular Income | 43,180 | 43,180 | 24,953.00 | |||||||
| Gross Income | ||||||||||
| Plus Other Income | ||||||||||
| Dona:ons | 22,300.00 | 22,300.00 | 17,185.00 | |||||||
| Online dona:ons | 18,696.00 | 18,696.00 | 8,353.00 | |||||||
| Ring fenced | Dona:ons | 5,490.00 | 5,490.00 | 0.00 | ||||||
| Tack sale | 5,072.00 | 5,072.00 | 4,223.00 | |||||||
| Events | 1,226.00 | 1,226.00 | 1,616.00 | |||||||
| Other revenue | 2,000.00 | 2,000.00 | 5,933.00 | |||||||
| Total Other | Income | 49,294.00 | 5,490.00 | 54,784.00 | 37,310.00 | |||||
| Total Income | 92,474.00 | 5,490.00 | 0.00 | 97,964.00 | 62,263.00 | |||||
| Less Herd Upkeep Costs | ||||||||||
| Pony care | 10,117.00 | 2,747.00 | 12,864.00 | 9,330.00 | ||||||
| Pony costs-equipment | 487.00 | 1,390.00 | 1,877.00 | 1,083.00 | ||||||
| Pony feed | 9,652.00 | 9,652.00 | 6,736.00 | |||||||
| Pony purchase | 0.00 | 11,947.00 | 11,947.00 | 14,889.00 | ||||||
| Pony schooling | 785.00 | 785.00 | 250.00 | |||||||
| Total Herd Upkeep Costs | 21,041.00 | 4,137.00 | 11,947.00 | 37,125.00 | 32,288.00 | |||||
| Gross Proft | 71,433.00 | 1,353.00 | -11,947.00 | 60,839.00 | 29,975.00 |
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ANNUAL REVIEW & ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023
| Expenses | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of running site | ||||||||||||
| Maintenance of grounds | 1,646.00 | 1,646.00 | 2,940.00 | |||||||||
| Repairs & maintenance - building | 1,314.00 | 1,314.00 | ||||||||||
| 3,800.00 | ||||||||||||
| Light, Power, Hea:ng | 1,236.00 | 1,236.00 | 1,617.00 | |||||||||
| Cleaning and sanitary costs | 2,920.00 | 2,920.00 | 2,785.00 | |||||||||
| Fuel costs and servicing | 559.00 | 559.00 | 0.00 | |||||||||
| Motor vehicle expenses | 243.00 | 243.00 | 1,867.00 | |||||||||
| Gardening | 834.00 | 834.00 | 492.00 | |||||||||
| Health, Safety and Safeguarding | 857.00 | 600.00 | 3,614.00 | 5,071.00 | ||||||||
| 99.00 | ||||||||||||
| Insurance | 2,283.00 | 2,283.00 | 2,162.00 | |||||||||
| New Works | 332.00 | 4,877.00 | 5,209.00 | 9,207.00 | ||||||||
| Telephone and Internet | 461.00 | 461.00 | 644.00 | |||||||||
| Total Cost of Running Site | 12,685.00 | 600.00 | 8,491.00 | 21,776.00 | 25,613.00 | |||||||
| Other Running Costs | ||||||||||||
| Fundraising | ||||||||||||
| Compe::on costs | 524.00 | 524.00 | 0.00 | |||||||||
| Event costs | 2,001.00 | 753.00 | 2,754.00 | 1,325.00 | ||||||||
| Fundraiser | Partner costs | 216.00 | 216.00 | 290.00 | ||||||||
| Adver:sing & Marke:ng | 77.00 | 77.00 | 0.00 | |||||||||
| Communica:ons | 98.00 | 98.00 | 0.00 | |||||||||
| Total Fundraising | 2,916.00 | 753.00 | 0.00 | 3,669.00 | 1,615.00 |
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ANNUAL REVIEW & ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023
Income and Expenditure Con:nued Epsom Riding for the Disabled Associa:on inc Carriage Driving For the year ended 31 March 2023
| Finance and Legal costs | |
| Audit & Accountancy fees | 2,049.00 2,049.00 1,897.00 |
| Bank fees | 220.00 220.00 224.00 |
| Subscrip:on costs | 340.00 340.00 295.00 |
| Total Finance and Legal cost | 2,609.00 0.00 0.00 2,609.00 2,416.00 |
| Training | |
| Training - coaching and bursary 27.00 27.00 74.00 |
|
| Training - frst aid 1,380.00 1,380.00 0.00 |
|
| Staf Training 11.00 11.00 0.00 |
|
| Total Training 1,418.00 0.00 0.00 1,418.00 74.00 |
|
| Other Administra:ve and Misc costs | |
| IT Sobware and consumables 295.00 295.00 702.00 |
|
| Prin:ng & sta:onery 247.00 247.00 118.00 |
|
| General expenses 0.00 0.00 0.00 |
|
| Total Other Administra:ve and Misc costs 542.00 0.00 0.00 542.00 820.00 |
|
| Total Other Running Costs 0.00 753.00 0.00 8,238.00 4,925.00 |
|
| Total Opera:ng Expenses 20,170 1,353 8,491 30,014 30,538 |
|
| Opera:ng Surplus(Loss) 51,263 0 -20,438 30,825 -563 |
|
| Future Strategy Costs and Income | |
| Indoor School Project | |
| Indoor School costs 0 46,842 49,645 96,487 6156 |
|
| Indoor School funding 0 -8,000 0 -8,000 -30000 |
|
| Total Indoor School Project 0 38,842 49,645 88,487 -23,844 |
|
| Total Non-opera:ng Expenses 0 38,842 49,645 88,487 -23,844 |
|
| Net Surplus (Loss) 51,263 -38,842 -70,083 -57,662 23,281 |
|
| Transfer of funds | |
| Balance at 1st April 2022 90,510 38,842 138,764 268,116 244,835 |
|
| Balance at 31st March 2023 141,773 0 68,681 210,454 268,116 |
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ANNUAL REVIEW & ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023
Receipts and Payments Accounts Balance Sheet Epsom Riding for the Disabled Association inc Carriage For the year ended 31 March 2023
| Bank Accounts | Opening Balance Cash Received Cash Spent Closing Balance |
| ERDA CIO current account | 39,119 125,108 129,426 34,801 |
| ERDA old charity | 1,922 790 0 2,712 |
| ERDA Virgin | 382 0 0 382 |
| Na:onal Coun:es Building Soc | 95,748 387 0 96,135 |
| Accessible savings account | 129,820 225 55,626 74,419 |
| Metrobank savings account | 2,000 5 0 2,005 |
| Metrobank credit card | -875 875 0 0 |
| Total | 268,116 127,390 185,052 210,454 |
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ANNUAL REVIEW & ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023
Receipts and Payments Accounts Statement of Assets and Liabili:es Epsom Riding for the Disabled Associa:on inc Carriage Driving
For the year ended 31 March 2023
| General | Purposes Restricted Funds (note 1) Designated Funds (note 2) 2022 |
|
| £ £ £ £ |
||
| Bank Balances at 31st March 2022 held by Epsom Riding for the Disabled (1180061) |
90,510.00 38,842.00 138,764.00 268,116.00 |
|
| General | Purposes Restricted Funds (note 1) Designated Funds (note 2) 2023 |
|
| Net Receipts/ (payments) in year |
51,263.00 -38,842.00 -70,083.00 -57,662.00 |
|
| Bank Balances at 31st March 2023 |
||
| 141,773.00 0.00 68,681.00 210,454.00 |
||
| These fnancial statements were approved by the Trustees on 18 May and signed on their behalf by: |
||
| L Hales A Wilson |
||
| Chair Trustee |
||
| For and on behalf of the Treasurer | ||
| Management Commicee |
23
ANNUAL REVIEW & ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023
Receipts and Payments Accounts Notes to the Accounts at 31st March 2023 Epsom Riding for the Disabled Associa:on inc Carriage Driving For the year ended 31 March 2023
1. Restricted Funds
| Donor | Fund as at 1st April 2022 Received Spent Fund as at 31st March 2023 |
| £ £ £ £ |
|
| Sound System for the riding school Oxshoc Ladies |
1,742 0 1,742 0 |
| Ligh:ng The Livingstone Trust |
2,300 0 2,300 0 |
| Ligh:ng for School Love of Learning |
4,800 0 4,800 0 |
| Indoor school project Peter Harrison Founda:on |
30,000 0 30,000 0 |
| Hartpury acendance and saddle for Shannon JJOG |
0 1,828 1,828 0 |
| Sheepskin saddle Annece Emery Gemstones |
0 315 315 0 |
| Vets’ bills for Moss Thompson Family Trust |
0 2,747 2,747 0 |
| Bicycle sheds and ligh:ng for the new car park Epsom and Ewell Borough Council |
0 8,000 8,000 0 |
| New riding hats Thursday session |
0 600 600 0 |
| 38,842 13,490 52,332 0 |
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ANNUAL REVIEW & ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023
| 2. Designated Funds | 2. Designated Funds | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | |||
| Opening balance | 138,764.00 | ||
| Addi:onal funding from dona:ons | 0.00 | ||
| Transfer | of funds | 0.00 | |
| Less | 0.00 | ||
| Removal of rogng trees | -1,980.00 | ||
| Purchase of new herd | -11,947.00 | ||
| replacement of fences | -400.00 | ||
| Roofng of stables | -625.00 | ||
| Emergency Plumber for tap | -120.00 | ||
| New riding hats to meet updated | |||
| standards | -3,614.00 | ||
| Japanese knotweed treatment | -1,752.00 | ||
| Car park | -49,645.00 | ||
| Total spent | -70,083.00 | ||
| Closing balance | 68,681.00 |
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ANNUAL REVIEW & ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023
Receipts and Payments Accounts Notes to the Accounts at 31st March 2023 continued Epsom Riding for the Disabled Association inc Carriage Driving For the year ended 31 March 2023
3. New Works (Improvements and Equipment) Purchased in year
| New Works (Improvements) | £ |
| Water pump repair | 332 |
| Removal of ro\ng trees | 1,980 (designated) |
| Replacement of fences | 400 (designated) |
| Roofng of stables | 625 (designated) |
| Emergency plumber for tap in stables | 120 (designated) |
| Japanese knotweed treatment | 1,752 (designated) |
| Total New Works(Improvements) | 5,209 |
| Equipment | |
| Saddles | 1,538 (part restricted) |
| Girths | 45 |
| Other equipment costs | 294 |
| Total Equipment | 1,877 |
| Total new works (Improvements and equipment) |
7,086 |
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ANNUAL REVIEW & ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023
GOVERNANCE
Epsom RDA is managed by ten elected trustees including the Chair. Within the group there is a wide range of skills and experience bringing well rounded exper:se to manage the charity on a day-today basis and plan and deliver for the future.
There have been some changes to Trustees during the year:
-
We welcomed one new Trustee in November: Laura McArthur who brings secretariat experience to our list of skills.
-
We also saw a change in Chairs with Ray Lee stepping down as chair but remaining an ac:ve member of the trustees taking on a new role as fundraising trustee.
-
Laura Hales was elected as chair from March 2023.
-
Trustees also moved to recruit a new communica:ons trustees following the resigna:on of Jane Sanders who had held the role for the past 3 years.
-
The Board now operates in a hybrid fashion mee:ng remotely and in person. The Board met five :mes during the year and held one strategy mee:ng. The Annual General Mee:ng was held on 20 November 2022. Our thanks to the kind support of Epsom Downs Racecourse who once again hosted our mee:ng.
The Finance commicee reformed in 2022 – taking on enhanced role in financial governance and performance repor:ng. It is now the Finance, Performance and Governance Commicee (FPGC). It is chaired by the treasurer and comprises secretary, property trustee, fundraising trustee and 1 other trustee as elected.
SAFEGUARDING
Everyone within Epsom RDA has the right to report any issues which cause concern about another person in confidence, this can be done to the appointed Safeguarding Officer or direct to our Na:onal body, RDA UK.
At Epsom RDA we have a
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★ Safeguarding Policy Statement
-
★ Safe recruitment – standardised applica:on form, requirement for two references and disclosure checks
-
★ An appointed Safeguarding Officer who can be contacted by email: safeguarding@epsomrda.org.uk
All in the Group are aware of who to contact if there is a safeguarding concern with the details sign posted on our coffee room no:ceboard as well as detailed on our website.
All Coaches that run Sessions have a current (within 3 years) safeguarding cer:ficate and are required acend a formal training course provided by RDA UK to renew their cer:ficate.
More informa:on on safeguarding guidelines and policy can be found at RDA Na:onal Safeguarding.
27
ANNUAL REVIEW & ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023
TRUSTEES AS AT 31 MARCH 2023
Ray Lee, Chair re-elected at AGM on 27 September 2020 - resigned as chair on 2[nd] March 2023 but stays on as fundraising trustee
Angela Wilson, Treasurer re-elected at AGM on 27 September 2020
Tessa Kelly, Secretary elected 17 November 2019 resigned 20 November 2022
Laura McArthur, Secretary elected 16 January 2023
Liz Clark, Volunteering, appointed 14 February 2022
Rebecca Courtman, Health, and Safety and Safeguarding re-elected 21 November 2021
Laura Hales, Property & Grounds, re-elected 21 November 2021, appointed Chair on 2[nd] March
2023
David Hart appointed 14 February 2022
Jo Lee, Horse and Pony, at AGM on 27 September 2020
Jane Sanders, Communica:ons re-elected at AGM on 27 September 2020 resigned 2[nd] March 2023
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ANNUAL REVIEW & ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATION
Formal name: Epsom Riding for the Disabled Associa:on Charity Registered Number: 1180061
Registered Office: St Ebba’s Farm, Hook Road, Epsom, Surrey, KT19 8Q
Honorary Officers:
Chair – Ray Lee un:l 2[nd] March 2023 Laura Hales from that date
Treasurer – Angela Wilson
Secretary – Tessa Kelly resigned 20 November 2023, Laura McArthur elected 16 January 2023
Objects:
Providing disabled people with the opportunity to ride and/or to carriage drive to benefit their health and well- being in the Surrey / Southeast area
A Member of the Riding for the Disabled Associa:on incorpora:ng Carriage Driving Registered Company No 5010395 Registered Charity No 244108
For more informa:on:
Website: www.epsomrda.org.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/epsomrda Instagram: www.instagram.com/epsomrda Twicer: www.twicer.com/epsomrda
Enquiries:
info@epsomrda.org.uk
29