The calendar gets a nod of approval from one of the centre's stars. RDA horse manager Sue Fisher, left, with Sue Shepherd. Photo / John Stone
The calendar gets a nod of approval from one of the centre's stars. RDA horse manager Sue Fisher, left, with Sue Shepherd. Photo / John Stone
After visiting the Whangarei Riding for Disabled centre with her camera one day, photographer Sue Shepherd hit on an idea to help the group raise funds.
The poignant photos she has since taken of children riding the horses with RDA staff helping them now feature in a 2016 calendar thatwill be sold at some Northland retail outlets and through the organisation's website.
Ms Shepherd not only donated her photos and time, she organised the calendar's printing and also arranged for businesses to sponsor each page to cover the costs. Now all the profits from sales can go directly back to RDA.
"Initially I offered to do some photos for the Riding for Disabled website. I went and visited the centre for three days to take the photos," she said.
"It was an amazing experience. This group do a fantastic job for our handicapped kids and others that need support. Seeing the love on their mums' and dads' and caregivers' faces nearly made me cry. Also the kids' reaction to the horses, plus, of course, the commitment of a huge number of volunteers," she said.
"They had been trying to do some fundraising so I suggested they pick 12 of the best photos that I had taken and we could make a calendar."
The calendar was launched at a lunch at the RDA centre in Barge Park, attended by supporters, Whangarei mayor Sheryl Mai, community and business representatives.
