Ryde RDA Gets a Shiny New Coat

Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) – Ryde Centre will be one of many worthy projects given a helping hand on 19 September when Lend Lease hosts its 18th Annual Community Day. 

Lend Lease Community Day encourages all employees around the world to give something back to local communities.

Community Day helps to develop strong community partnerships, giving employees a chance to apply skills where they are most needed. Employees unanimously agree – this builds strong camaraderie and teamwork, and is an immensely rewarding experience.

Employees are invited to nominate a project and create small teams to work with the community group or cause. Activities can include helping senior citizens, the homeless people, people with disabilities, the environment, working with children/youth and animals.

Community Day is about forging strong community partnerships, applying Lend Lease manpower and skills where they are most needed and supporting communities that support us.

Around 30 employees from Lend Lease will converge at the centre to assist with the construction of shade sails to provide protection for the highly valued horses. Volunteers will also re-paint all the hardwood rail fencings providing an overall improvement to the aesthetics of the centre.

RDA NSW enables people with a disability throughout the Sydney Metro area to experience enjoyment, challenges and achievement through participation in horse riding and other inclusive activities.

Elizabeth Lamaro, team leader of the Lend Lease volunteers has a close association with the RDA Ryde Centre having previously volunteered at the Centre as a trainee coach and has seen the value that the Centre delivers to those with disabilities.

“RDA is a charity very close to my heart. My own cousin has disabilities and I have seen first hand the impact that the interaction with the horses has on the children in improving their mobility and spirits. A ride can bring out huge smiles and really boost the confidence of individuals,” she said.

Robin Grindrod, Vice President of the Ryde Centre explained the importance of volunteers to the centre to ensure that riders can continue to receive enjoyment from the interaction with the horses.

“At the Ryde Centre, we focus on our rider’s abilities. Our team of volunteers and horses work together to encourage and assist riders to achieve and progress physically, socially and mentally. RDA Ryde is run entirely by volunteers and we rely on their dedication and commitment. The Lend Lease team of volunteers have delivered great new facilities for the horses and riders,” she said.

This is Lend Lease’s 18th consecutive Community Day, and since the initiative began in 1996, Lend Lease employees have volunteered over 500,000 hours worldwide.