The Livery Newsletter and Gazette Issue 32 Spring 2020 | Page 12

Supporting the Benevolent Fund The easiest way to donate to the Benevolent Fund is by direct debit. Please email the Treasurer at [email protected] to set up a direct debit or change your annual donation. Alternatively, you can visit the Benevolent Fund’s page on the Company’s website and press the “Donate Now” button Benevolent Fund page Finally, it is never too late to review one’s estate and will. If you are contemplating such a review, please consider a legacy to “The Tobacco Pipe Makers and Tobacco Trade Benevolent Fund (Charity no.1135646)”. Legacies to charities are free of Inheritance Tax. Ralph Edmondson, Trustee Barrow Farm Barrow Farm continues to thrive in this its 44th year. We have 130 riders and 11 drivers at present every week, with 13 horses and ponies giving so much pleasure to our riders who range in age from 5 years old to in their 60s. Some of our riders have physical difficulties, like cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis; others (about ¾) have learning difficulties and many have difficulties on the autistic spectrum. Some of our riders have life limiting conditions. Barrow Farm gives them Fun, Fitness, Friendship and Fulfilment outside of what, for many of them, is a very challenging life. Two of our ponies came to us from donations from the Tobacco Pipe Makers and Tobacco Trade Benevolent Fund and from donations given at the Memorial Service of John Adler, who was one of our Trustees for many years. Lula is now 21 years old and although suffering a little from having ‘old legs’ with a bit of arthritis, is still a much loved and much used member of the team. Her preference is for driving and she is currently doing 4 drives each week. We have a new driving pony who has taken some of the load off Lula, but the two of them have fun going out together as well as working separately. Lula remains very popular with our riders as she is so safe! She does do some lessons on lead, but her definite forte is for off lead work where her riders can learn independent riding and even independent trotting, giving them so much pleasure. She is really a super star having been providing fun at Barrow Farm for the last 9 years! Interestingly Lula is great friends with Vella, and they go out in the field together, although it must be remembered that Lula is the boss! Vella has turned into a lovely riding pony with a super active walk, much enjoyed by her riders. (Her disabled driving career was not to be.) She is very popular with both riders and volunteers. Recently she went to her first outside show, learning how to behave with two of our able bodied riders and she was just like an old pro. She was ridden first by one of our young Saturday teenager volunteers and came a good 4th, but went on to higher things with one of our experienced coaches, Clare, with whom she won her class. We have high hopes that next year she will be able to complete with disabled riders at competitions regionally and even possibly nationally! We remain indebted to the Tobacco Pipe Makers and Tobacco Trade Benevolent Fund for their most generous ongoing support to Barrow Farm. It really makes a big difference to the lives of so many disabled children and adults. 12