Sponsors of horse-riding lessons for young adults with cerebral palsy from the Associação Portuguesa de Paralisia Cerebral in Faro were invited to the Pinetrees Riding Centre near Almancil on Friday, April 12.
During 2018/19, local charity Helping Hands in The Algarve has been funding two young adults from the Associação Portuguesa de Paralisia Cerebral to receive a year of therapeutic horse-riding lessons at Pinetrees.
The Associação Portuguesa de Paralisia Cerebral offers rehabilitation of clients with disabilities or neurological incapacity. It has nearly 600 clients from newborn to 50 years old, the majority being from underprivileged families. The riding lessons funded by Helping Hands develop control of posture and motor ability, balance, muscular tone, coordination, stimulate independence and improve cognitive abilities. The lessons also provide opportunities for recreational activity and social interaction.
Two members of the Helping Hands Committee, Christine and Richard Brice, joined Bev Gibbons, the owner of Pinetrees Riding Centre, to watch a riding lesson in progress. Coffee and cakes were also enjoyed by the representatives of the sponsors. Easter eggs were given to the riders.
Discussions were held between Helping Hands and Pinetrees about the possibility of continuing support in the new academic year beginning in September. Support from Helping Hands would depend on successful fundraising between now and September.
Helping Hands in The Algarve has also continued to support a variety of other good causes including the Bombeiros, food donations to Casa do Povo in Estoi and support for children and adults with visual difficulties, for example by providing glasses.
The next fundraising event will be a Fun Quiz Night at 7.45pm on Tuesday, May 14, at the old Freguesia office on Rua Dr Silva Nobre, opposite the east end of the Municipal Market in São Brás de Alportel.
Further information about how to support Helping Hands in The Algarve can be found on the charity’s Facebook page.
