BALLYCLARE GROUP RDA
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT
The Trustees present their Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 30" June 2025 including a Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at that date.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Correspondence address: 18 Knowehead Road, Templepatrick, Ballyclare, County Antrim, BT39 OBX.
Registered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC104521).
CHARITY TRUSTEES
The Charity Trustees who served during the year or who were trustees at the date of this report were:
Miss Sylvia Coulter Mrs Mary Angela Houston Mrs Avril Nicholl
Mrs Julia Desmond Mrs Margo McClure Mrs Maeve Gertrude Rosemund
PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARER
Treasurer:
Mrs Mary Angela Houston
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER
James Gillespie (F.C.A.) Stevenson and Wilson Chartered Accountants 22-30 Broadway Avenue, Ballymena. BT43 7AA.
BANKERS
Ulster Bank 47-49 Wellington Street, Ballymena, BT43 6AD.
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BALLYCLARE GROUP RDA
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont’d)
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Registration with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland was completed on 10 December 2015.
DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE
The Charity exists to provide therapeutic riding and contact with horses to children and young adults with special needs in the Ballyclare area.
ACTIVITIES, OBJECTIVES, ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
The group normally meets on Thursday mornings during term time for a total of 32 weeks during the year. We started back in September 2024 with separate rides. The first group came from Roddensvale school, the second ride was made up of individuals brought by their carers. The last ride came from Jordonstown school. The riders who came from school groups change every 6-8 weeks to give more children the opportunity to experience the benefits and enjoyment of riding. Our group of individuals came every week. Where possible our riders work towards their RDA grade tests. Sixteen of our riders from the Jordonstown group completed their Grade | Riding and Horsecare. One of our riders won the UK RDA Rider of the Year, which was a fantastic achievement. Several of our riders took part in the regional championships.
We meet at Laurelview Equestrian centre, where we use the indoor school and ponies, thanks to the generosity of Robert and Linda Davis. Our main cost is our payments to Laurelview and these prices have increased to reflect industry wide prices for arena and pony hire and we now pay approximately £130/week. We also pay fees for membership and insurance to RDA headquarters in England. Our group instructors, organiser and helpers are all volunteers. We currently have three fully qualified instructors, Sylvia, Maeve and Margo.
Our main regular source of income is our education authority grant. We have also had some very generous donations from the Wishart Group. Two of our volunteers very kindly undertook sponsorship fundraising. We ended the year with closing funds at the bank of £10,817.
We make every effort to ensure the rides are conducted safely, using trained volunteers under the supervision of a qualified instructor. All our instructors and volunteers have completed Enhanced Access NI checks. Our group has an up-to-date safeguarding policy. Every session has a qualified first aider in attendance.
We consider that we have regard to the Commission’s guidance on Public Benefit and have fulfilled our obligations in this respect.
PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT
The Public Benefit delivered by Ballyclare Group is reflected in the enjoyment and achievements of our riders. Some of our riders are extremely nervous when they start and it is wonderful to see them gain self-confidence. Physically, the riders benefit from improvements to their core strength, co-ordination, mobility and balance.
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BALLYCLARE GROUP RDA
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont’d)
FINANCIAL REVIEW
In the year ended 30" June 2025 the charity had total income of £4,536 compared with £6,800 in the previous year.
Total expenditure increased from £3,954 in 2024 to £5,480 in 2025.
At the end of the period the charity had net assets of £12,827, including cash at bank of £10,817.
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEE RESPONSIBILITIES
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial statements of the charity in accordance with applicable law and generally accepted accounting practice.
As the charity's total income does not exceed £250,000, the Trustees have elected under Section 64(3) of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 to prepare a receipts and payment account and a statement of assets and liabilities.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time its financial position. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by the Board of Trustees on 15" January 2026 and signed on its behalf by:
Signature: \A\ a Name: Mrs Margo McClure
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