BROADLANDS Riding for the Disabled Centre at Medstead is facing a severe curtailment of its life changing activities unless money is found to replace the roof on its covered riding school.

As winter sets in, the ageing and decaying corrugated asbestos roof is in danger of further cracking and, should that happen, the covered school will be closed, putting the centre under threat.

Determined to help raise the £185,000 needed to carry out the work, Four Marks and Medstead Rotary Club has stepped into the breach by launching a ‘Raising the Roof’ GlobalGiving crowd funding campaign.

Having made both BBC and Meridian News on Saturday, the online campaign has already smashed its first target which was to raise a minimum of £4,000 from at least 40 donors between November 28 and December 31.

Pitched at £490,517 to cover a wider redevelopment programme at Broadlands, and described as the biggest appeal currently on the GlobalGiving Foundation programme, as the Herald went to press on Wednesday the online total stood at £4,483 pledged by 111 donors, so it is off to a flying start.

But most pressing is the need to remove asbestos from both the covered school and the adjoining hay barn.

Critical to the work of the RDA (Riding for the Disabled Association), as it houses the hydraulic mounting lift, used by the majority of riders, and enables lessons to continue in inclement weather, alongside the centres eight highly trained ponies, the covered school is the powerhouse of the entire operation.

Without it, according to Broadlands RDA group chairman Nigel Hoppitt, riding sessions, which statistics show can make a huge difference to the physical and mental well-being of disabled riders, will be restricted to the small number who are able to brave the elements and use a normal outdoor mounting block.

Established in 1955 by the Stratford family, it will be a real blow for Broadlands which, for more than 60 years has used therapeutic riding sessions to help over 4,000 disabled and disadvantaged adults and children to participate in sport, develop friendships, expand their learning, develop new skills and grow as individuals.

In September 2016, following a recommendation by the Charities Commission, Broadlands was established as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. The Stratford family granted the Broadlands Group a fixed 25-year renewable lease thus ensuring the long-term future of the facility.

In June this year Broadlands RDA Group launched an ambitious programme of redevelopment, which has already raised £30,200, with a further £25,000 recently pledged by East Hampshire District Council, and the hope of financial support from the BBC Children in Need appeal.

Phase One of the programme is to remove the asbestos roof and guttering on the covered riding school which has been formally condemned.

According to Mr Hoppitt the plan is to take down the hay barn and extend the school area, with a bigger roof to embrace a new hay barn and viewing gallery, and to fit new LED lighting to extend the use of the covered school to include evening sessions for children who are unable to ride during school time.

“If sufficient funds are not raised in time, this remarkable place, which brings physical and mental wellbeing to so many will be unable to continue its vital work,” he said.

Phase Two would include the building of a learning centre, office and other facilities, including parking, which would enable Broadlands RDA to expand its offering in the future. It currently has 44 disabled riders on its books, aged three to over 60, and 10 on the waiting list.

In addition it needs £85,000 per year to cover running costs.

It is a big ask but one that Nigel Hoppitt firmly believes is achievable. “We have got all our ducks in place - we have a strong board of trustees which includes an architect and a good treasurer, we have planning permission from EHDC to carry out the work, and we have tenders lined up. It is now about getting enough money in place to enable us to start on the roof, and time is of the essence.”

In encouraging people to support the appeal, be it via the GlobalGiving page at goto.gg/30864 or via the website at www.broadlandsgrouprda.org.uk Mr Hoppitt is adamant: the more people who register their support for the appeal, whatever the size of the donation, the more likely it is to attract local sponsorship, match and global corporate funding.

In describing Broadlands as “a vital resource for disabled children and adults throughout Hampshire,” Four Marks and Medstead Rotary President Sally Duncan, said of the appeal: “Using crowd funding in this way is a new development for Rotary, and we are optimistic that this appeal to save Broadlands will reach a large number of potential donors through social media and in other ways.”