Glasgow riding charity faces closure unless it raises £100,000 to plug funding gap

Glasgow Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) has issued an urgent public appeal. After 38 years at its Summerston site, and with a stable herd of 11 horses and ponies, the charity says it faces an immediate funding shortfall driven by rising costs and reduced income. It has set a target of £100,000 to secure operations and avoid closure.

Glasgow RDA provides specialist riding and equine-assisted therapy for around 200 disabled children and adults across the city. Sessions aim to build confidence, improve posture and balance, support communication and reduce anxiety. The service depends on a small paid staff team and more than 100 volunteers who run the sessions and care for the horses.

The charity highlighted the experiences of two brothers, Leo and Max, who have autism. After nearly five years with Glasgow RDA, Leo—who also has hypermobility affecting core strength and posture—has made measurable progress in confidence, posture and calmness through caring for the ponies. Max said more people could benefit with help for confidence, balance and social skills. Those personal accounts illustrate the practical benefits the centre provides to families across Glasgow.

Marie Brown, chair of Glasgow RDA, described the situation as critical, saying rising costs and reduced funding have created a gap that threatens the charity's ability to continue. The organisation warns that without urgent support it may have to close by Christmas, which would end facilities and services relied on by around 200 beneficiaries.

Glasgow RDA is asking for donations and partnership support to reach a £100,000 target. It is calling on individuals, businesses, trusts, community groups and local partners to contribute. The charity has a JustGiving page open for online donations.

• Donate via the charity's JustGiving online page.
• Local businesses and trusts can contact Glasgow RDA to discuss multi‑month support or sponsorship.
• Community groups and volunteers can offer time or run local fundraising events to help close the immediate gap.

If the charity closes, about 200 people who currently access specialist riding and therapeutic activities will lose a local service that supports independence, physical therapy and social connections. The centre's 38-year presence in Summerston and its network of volunteers also represent an established community resource that would be difficult to replace quickly.

The article links donors to Glasgow RDA's JustGiving page for immediate contributions and asks the wider community to help secure the charity's future.