Variety – the Children’s Charity of Tasmania has partnered with Riding for the Disabled Association Tasmania (RDA Tasmania) to create a new scholarship aiming at supporting children, under the age of 18 years of age, who are sick, disadvantaged or living with disability to participate in RDA Tasmania’s equine related programs.
Says Mohammad Aldergham, CEO of Variety Tasmania, “The Variety RDA Tasmania Scholarship will provide support funding for children who would otherwise fall through the gaps. This Scholarship will help fund a minimum of 250 riding sessions over the coming year.”
The programs offered by RDA Tasmania focus on the wonderful and social experience of working with a horse. Doing so provides many therapeutic benefits for individuals as recognised in significant studies. Such benefits include strengthening core stability, improving balance, improving posture and co-ordination.
Claudia Nevah, Executive Officer of RDA Tasmania says, “RDA operates its programs from two centres out of Glenorchy and St Helens, during school terms. Our programs are run entirely by qualified volunteer coaches. Each of these coaches go through the RDA qualification process and become nationally accredited by Australian Sports Commission.”
“Although Variety Tasmania offers Variety Heart Scholarships, the Variety RDA Tasmania Scholarship will form part of our new partnerships initiative. Variety Tasmania takes its mission of empowering children who fall through the gaps seriously and genuinely. Our goal is to reach more children effectively and sustainably through different channels, including working with other likeminded organisations dedicated to serving the same cohort of children we exist to support. As such we are forging new and exciting partnerships with different Tasmanian community organisations, such as the RDA Tasmania.” said Mr Aldergham.
“RDA Tasmania receives no government funding, so having the Variety Scholarship will ensure our programs can reach more deserving children and allow them to build upon confidence, independence and develop a sense of achievement.”
Variety – the Children’s Charity supports kids and families who are facing many challenges through sickness, disadvantage or living with disability. They aim to catch Tassie kids who would otherwise fall through the gaps in the system.
