Elisabeth Svendsen Trust’s �2,000 donkey delight

HUNDREDS of disabled children who value a donkey riding therapy centre in Sidmouth have been given a �2,000 boost.

Charity chiefs at the Elisabeth Svendsen Trust (EST) were ‘thrilled’ to receive the cash from the Co-operative last Thursday.

Money will go towards developing a soft play area at the centre for youngsters.

EST Sidmouth was selected as the winner of Co-op’s Big Community Vote after being short-listed for an online poll which invited its members to vote for their favourite project.

John Wood, area committee member for Co-op, handed over a cheque and said: “The centre is excellent and I’m very impressed with the work that is done at EST.

“This project to build a soft play area will be a huge asset for the hundreds of local children with special needs who visit the centre.”

EST’s Louise Blair added: “We’re thrilled. This will help us to create a fantastic area for our children to play in while they’re waiting for their riding therapy sessions.”

EST Sidmouth has provided donkey riding therapy sessions to children since 1978.

Around 180 local youngsters with special needs and disabilities visit the centre each week for therapeutic sessions.

The charity also provides outreach visits to residents of nursing homes, hospices and care homes.