Clwyd Special Riding Centre Faces Imminent Closure Without Urgent Support

Clwyd Special Riding Centre, a much-loved and life-changing charity based in Llanfynydd near Wrexham, has announced that it faces potential closure in the next two months unless emergency funding can be secured.

Despite tireless efforts behind the scenes - including cost-cutting, grant applications, and partnership outreach - the Centre is now facing a critical financial shortfall. With annual running costs of £365,000, the team is urgently seeking pledges and donations to stay open.

Trustee Victoria Everall, daughter of the Centre’s founder, said:

“For 43 years, this Centre has changed lives. We are not giving up. We’re launching a final, united push to rally support and secure the Centre’s future.”

Clwyd Special Riding Centre is a registered charity offering life-changing equine-assisted therapy to children and adults with a wide range of disabilities and additional needs, including mental health and well-being - helping to build confidence, connection, and independence. The Centre supports a wide range of therapeutic activities, including hippotherapy (physio on horseback), mechanical horse therapy, Changing Lives Through Horses Programme, Equine Assisted Learning, and Riding for the Disabled (RDA) sessions.

Centre Managers Caroline Dingwall and Sophia Greenwell said:

“We’re not just asking for charity in the commercial sense. We’re asking you to believe in what we do – and to continue to stand with us today. A one-off gift, a corporate pledge or an introduction to someone who can help - every action counts.”

To galvanise support, the Centre has launched a Crowdfunding campaign:

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/clwyd-special-riding-centre-in-financial-crisis

This is an ‘All or Nothing’ Appeal.   In other words, if we do not reach our target of £365,000 the Centre will close, and you will receive your funds back directly from Crowdfunder.  We do not want donations to go into a big black hole and in six months’ time be in the same situation.  It is literally a now or never situation.

Our Crowdfunder page is currently registering £175,000.  We are nearly half way after only a week, we have just 2 weeks to go.  If we don’t reach our target of £365,000 your money is safe and will be returned to you by Crowdfunder.  

www.clwydspecialridingcentre.co.uk

ABOUT CLWYD SPECIAL RIDING CENTRE

Clwyd Special Riding Centre is a registered charity which provides life-changing equine assisted therapy activities to children and adults with a wide range of disabilities and additional needs, including mental health and well-being.

Located in Llanfynydd, between Mold and Wrexham, North Wales, the Charity is an approved Riding for the Disabled (RDA) and British Horse Society (BHS) Centre, but operates independently, receiving no public funding or financial support from the RDA or BHS. It relies solely on income from the use and hire of its facilities, along with the generosity of donors, supporters, businesses, sponsors, and charitable trusts and foundations.

Equine assisted therapy is delivered through riding, carriage driving, hippotherapy (physio on horseback), the BHS Changing Lives Through Horses programme and Mechanical Horse sessions and more.

Clwyd Special Riding Centre is run by a small team of experienced staff, governed by a board of trustees, and supported by a large pool of incredible volunteers, and a loyal team of loyal horses and ponies.

At Clwyd Special Riding Centre our mission is to provide life-changing equine-assisted therapy, education and inspirational experiences that champion inclusion and promote physical, emotional and social well-being for individuals, families, volunteers and staff.