Riding for the Disabled Volunteer of the Year

Hannah Fidler, of Kneesall has been awarded the prestigious Riding for the Disabled Volunteer of the Year award for the North Midlands region, which covers 28 riding groups across Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Nottinghamshire.

Penny McQuilkin, Secretary of the Riding group said: “Hannah has proved to be an exceptional volunteer. She has all the commitments of a normal 17 year old – long school days with GCSEs and A levels to study for, a part time job, driving lessons, caring for her own horse, nights out with her friends but despite a very full schedule, Hannah has not missed a single one of our weekly RDA riding sessions during the year.”

Currently a pupil at the Minster School in Southwell, Hannah is a very capable horsewoman and is the first to arrive and the last to leave each riding session. Penny explains: “Her help tacking up, untacking and turning out horses and ponies is invaluable and really helps to make each lesson run smoothly. We really appreciate Hannah’s youthful energy (and long legs!) when it comes to trotting alongside our more adventurous riders. Our younger riders also enjoy the company of one of their peers.

“Always full of ideas for fundraising and group activities, Hannah happily packs bags in supermarkets and has sold endless raffle tickets, bags of reindeer food and Christmas cards to raise the funds to keep our group riding.

“Hannah is an exceptional young lady and a credit to the Minster School. At Retford Riding for the Disabled, we are all so proud of her and so delighted that her outstanding contribution has been recognised on a regional and national level.”