Vital funds for Whanganui Riding for the Disabled

Z Whanganui manager Varun Khanna and attendant Jamie Scott with riders Riley Thornton, 10, Annabelle Spetch, 7, Emily Hagan, 9, and Ivy Lille, 8, and pony Tim Tam. PHOTO/ BEVAN CONLEY

Smiles stretched for miles down at the Z service station in London Street yesterday when Whanganui's Riding for Disabled was gifted $1073.

The donation was part of Z's 'Good in the Hood' fundraiser, which saw the company choose four local charities and customer votes, using tokens, deciding the amount of money that would be distributed to each one.

Whanganui Heart Kids led the way, accumulating $1893 worth of votes. Wanganui Enterprises was the third place winner and received $547, followed closely by Whanganui Budget Advisory Service with $487.

Riding for the Disabled vice-president Hayley Sellars said the money would not sit in the bank but would go directly towards expenses like new horse covers.

"We are a non-profit organisation, run on the smell of an oily rag, so a grand is amazing and we are truly grateful," Ms Sellars said.

Four riders - aged seven to 10 - joined the celebrations as part of their first day of the holiday programme.

Seven-year-old Annabelle Spetch brought her pony, Tim Tam, along and said she loved Riding for the Disabled.

Ms Sellars said it wasn't just about the riding. "It is a non-verbal environment where there is no expectation and everyone just has a good time."

"Good in the Hood" is a national campaign run by Z that has been operating for the past three years.

The Whanganui service station, located on the corner of London St and Glasgow St, celebrated its second birthday last month since the opening in June 2015.