Businessman gives £15,000 to special stables for helping sister

A businessman inspired by the sense of freedom and independence his sister has found at a special riding centre has donated £15,000 to help it carry on its work.

Julie Garner is deaf and has limited sight but has benefited greatly from attending Sense’s specialist deafblind riding centre in West Pinchbeck for the past four years.
Her brother Mark, who is director or Garner Homes Investments Ltd, based in Surrey, has been so impressed with how the centre has helped Julie his company decided to make the generous donation.
The Sense Riding Centre, which will receive the funds over the course of three years, provides deafblind people with the opportunity to enjoy horse-riding and working with horses, which has significant physical, emotional and developmental benefits.
Mark handed over the cheque at a presentation held at the centre.
The money will go towards maintaining the charity’s monthly pony club, which Mark’s business helped launch in 2014.
He said: “The Riding Centre gave Julie a great sense of freedom and independence.
“I hope that more people who have complex needs are able to benefit from visiting the centre, and it enables them to lead a more varied life.”
Stables manager Alison Garner, who is no relation to Mark, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Mark and Garner Homes Investments.
“Donations like these help more deafblind people to enjoy the benefits that being around horses can bring.”
The Sense Riding Centre is the only stables in the UK entirely adapted to the needs of deafblind people so that they can enjoy horse riding and participate in all aspects of horse care and yard work.
The Riding Centre is funded entirely by donations and support from volunteers.
For more information go to www.sense.org.uk/content/sense-stables.