Group steps in to help kids

Mid West businesses have teamed up to give some of Geraldton’s hardest working children a bit of a step up.

Geraldton CBH has built a new set of mounting stairs for students at the Riding for the Disabled Association.

Variety WA and the RDA had a set of crumbling old steps, used to help disabled students mount horses for lessons.

CBH’s Duncan Gray stepped in to save the day. Variety volunteers asked Mr Gray if he could repair the old stairs, but he offered to make an entirely new set.

Variety WA-Mid West Geraldton regional co-ordinator Jan Ajduk said Mr Gray had gone beyond expectations with his design improvements.

“The steps needed to be wide enough so kids with walking difficulties or equipment to assist them to walk or stand would be able to utilise them,” she said.

“We also needed them to be lightweight so they could be transported easily on the back of a ute or trailer.

“Our old steps were very heavy and took several men to lift but the new ones are on wheels so we can move with more ease.

“We now don’t need four men to shift it — one person can do it very easily. Plus the wheels now have a brake system for safety.”

RDA centres provide children with suitable horses, trained volunteer helpers, accredited coaches and riding and safety equipment to run a range of equestrian activities.

Mrs Ajduk said Mr Gray had made the lives of charity volunteers so much simpler.

“The RDA ladies and our Variety kids and families loved the new steps,” she said.

“They made their task of getting the kids on and off the horses so much easier and not as stressful for some of the kids.”

To donate to the RDA, visit www.rda.org.au.