East Devon Riding for the Disabled Associaton Group
- Treasurers Report for 2022 23
At the end of the financial year 2022-23 for East Devon (RDA) Group the accounts showed a loss of income over expenditure of £2,882.46 bringing the total assets of the Group to £12,913.43
Income from donations was down but included generous donations from the Morton Charitable Trust of £1000 and £333 from Waitrose . There were donations of over £400 following funerals of local people not associated with EDRDA but forwarded to us by local funeral directors. This is an area the trustees would like to increase by contacting local funeral directors giving details of who we are and what we do and achieve. Also, to contact local solicitors as many write Wills for local people who may wish to make donations in their Will.
Fund raising increased slightly with Honiton Charter Day making £173.00 and Honiton Show £608.00 Thanks again to Helene and Jan adding details of second-hand tack & equipment on Facebook which has brought in a few more sales. We attended Honiton Hill Rally for the first time and raised £72.50 and an equine car boot sale near Bovey Tracey which raised £85.00. At the Christmas Carol Singing Jan organised a raffle which raised £181.00. This was thanks to the very generous donations of items for the hampers from the volunteers. Jan and I also gave a talk about the group and our experiences with EDRDA to Tipton Ladies who made a generous donation of £60. We now have a power point presentation should anyone else wish to hear about EDRDA.
Our main expense is the hire of horses for the lessons totalling £4762 of which some is covered by the riders’ payments (£2436). We continue to pay farrier fees, vet fees & flu vaccinations for Blue Jack, Seamus and May.
Other expenditure includes payments such as RDA Membership & Insurance, DBS certification for volunteers, Instructor’s travel costs, more hats for the new riders and Honiton Show fees and tickets storage of second-hand equipment. The renewal of our First Aiders was also a large but essential expense this year (£520).
We are still in an enviable position of having sufficient funds to run the group but each year this is reducing. As a charity it is the trustees’ task to ensure the group has at least a years expenditure is available, which at present we have. The trustees are now looking for other ways of increasing our income and would welcome any suggestions.
I would personally like to thank Helene, our coach, for her enthusiasm and support, but also huge thanks to all our wonderful volunteers at riding sessions, at shows and events and for talking to others about our group. We have been extremely fortunate to welcome several new enthusiastic volunteers. We would not be able to operate and continue our growth without the generous time, help and support you all give.