Under-threat riding centre gets six-month reprieve

A five-year plan has been drawn up to secure the future of Middlesbrough's Riding for the Disabled Unicorn Centre

A horse riding facility under threat of closure has secured six months of short-term support.

Middlesbrough's Unicorn Centre, which opened in 1998, gives those with disabilities and learning difficulties the opportunity to ride and enjoy time with horses.

Rising costs and a lack of funds had led to trustees to say it would close, but a new management team said it had come up with a five-year plan, with guaranteed financial support from the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA).

New interim operations manager Kim Upton told Radio Tees the centre did "invaluable work" and she was confident the community would "rally round".

Ms Upton said it was a "special place" where disabled people had found "freedom, happiness and confidence through the power of horses" for 25 years.

"As someone who lives and works in this area, I know of the invaluable work it does and I also know that people were shocked to hear it was in difficulties," she said.

She said running costs had risen "sharply" and it was more difficult to keep the centre and the horses in good shape.

There is a long waiting list for riding sessions at The Unicorn Centre

The RDA said the centre had "long been a vital part" of the community.

A spokesperson said: "While the scale and importance of the centre compel RDA UK to act, our national team's role is to provide short-term stability, not long-term management.

"This includes short-term financial support if needed.

"The centre's future must be led and secured by the local community."

The centre is currently setting up an advisory group and appointing new trustees.

Its plans include a Friends of the Unicorn Facebook group to fundraise and encourage local organisations to adopt the charity.