I’ve chosen to support Barrow Farm RDA as it’s local to Blackmore (the village where I grew up and where the wedding is happening) in memory of my sister Victoria, pictured above.

Horses and riding were the loves of Victoria’s life as all who knew her will vividly recall. If she’d survived, being able to still horse-ride due to facilities such as those provided by Barrow Farm RDA for children and adults with special needs and disabilities would've meant the absolute world to her.

As well as the physical benefits (like balance and co-ordination) of riding lessons, riding also helps improve numeracy and language skills, see’s riders who do not interact with their peers forming a bond with their pony, those who spend most of their time in a wheelchair being liberated whilst riding and those who are timid and lack self esteem becoming bold and confident during riding lessons. Valuable life-long friendships are formed with fellow riders and sessions can also see parents swell with pride watching their disabled child do something they never thought possible.

To give you an idea of how donations help; £5 buys a hay bale, £25 a child's riding lesson, £40 a riding hat and £55 a set of safety stirrups. Thank you for any contributions; we're very grateful, Jemma x