A DISABLED riding charity based in Helensburgh has received a much-needed boost from a local supermarket's charity foundation.

The Gareloch Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) is now making use of a new 'horse scale', enabling it to pair the right riders with the right horses and ensuring that both humans and horses get the most out of their experience with the charity.

The horse scale was purchased with funding given to the RDA by the Morrisons Foundation.

Brandon Somerville, the community champion at Morrisons' Helensburgh supermarket, visited the charity's base at the Colgrain Equestrian Centre to meet some of the charity's horses and service users and see the new equipment in action.

The Gareloch RDA charity works with a wide range of people across the Helensburgh area.The Gareloch RDA charity works with a wide range of people across the Helensburgh area. (Image: Brandon Somerville)

He said: “It's clear that the volunteers absolutely love and adore their work. They love helping in any way they can, bringing the community together.

"The Morrisons Foundation is honoured to donate to this great cause.

"The horses are very well looked after and have a great nature and with this scale the RDA will be able to look after them even more than before.

"It is the dream of the Morrisons Foundation that we are able to help as many charities as possible."

The Gareloch RDA charity is based at Colgrain Equestrian Centre at the east end of Helensburgh.The Gareloch RDA charity is based at Colgrain Equestrian Centre at the east end of Helensburgh. (Image: Brandon Somerville)

A spokesperson for the Gareloch RDA said: " This is so important in creating an atmosphere of inclusion. This also allows us to maintain our horses better.

"The horses give so much to the people. We see great changes in people when they interact with the horses."

The Gareloch RDA recently revealed that it supported 120 people in the 12 months to March of this year - almost double the number it supported in the corresponding period in 2022-23.

Its 57 volunteers delivered more than 1,200 sessions in the course of the same 12 months, including riding, carriage driving, horse care, equine facilitated learning, and 'Tea with a Pony', in which local care home residents interact with some of the charity's horses, enjoy tea and sandwiches, and have a chat.

Horses and humans alike both gain from the interaction.Horses and humans alike both gain from the interaction. (Image: Brandon Somerville)

They are always welcoming new volunteers and those who are interested in helping out in any way should contact garelochrdasecretary@gmail.com.

For more information on how to go about securing funding for your good cause from the Morrisons Foundation, email champion.helensburgh@morrisonsplc.co.uk.