Elisabeth Svendsen Trust

Today, a UK charity has announced its plans to build a one million pound donkey-riding centre just outside of Belfast, which will provide a free service to hundreds of children in Northern Ireland who have special needs and disabilities.

The Elisabeth Svendsen Trust for Children and Donkeys (EST) provides unique donkey-riding therapy and has five centres across the UK. It has recently acquired land in Ballypalady near Templepatrick to build a sixth centre, which is planned to open in early 2011.

The charity aims to start building the centre, which will include an indoor riding arena and stables for between 15 and 20 donkeys, in May this year.

EST is looking to raise a further £480,000 towards building and equipping the centre. To help fund the project, the charity has launched a ‘Buy a Brick’ scheme on its website and hopes this will inspire individuals and businesses throughout Northern Ireland to make a donation.

Dawn Vincent from the EST press office says: “We are incredibly excited about moving into Northern Ireland as children here have, so far, been unable to access our unique donkey-riding therapy.

“Donkey therapy can be life changing for many of the children who visit our centres. I often hear stories from my colleagues of how a child has spoken their first words on a donkey, or how a child has developed their strength through riding and managed to sit up unaided despite being severely disabled.

“Please support us now if you can by buying a brick for just £10 or donating any amount, no matter how small. This is a project that will make a difference to the children of Northern Ireland who have special needs and disabilities.”

For further information, visit www.elisabethsvendsentrust.org.uk or speak to the fundraising team at EST’s headquarters in Devon by calling 01395 573133.

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For quotes, further information or images, please contact:

Elisabeth Svendsen Trust PR Office:
Dawn Vincent 01395 573097 07970 927778
Suzi Cretney 01395 573014
Claire Shapcott 01395 573124
Chris Phillips 01395 573142

NOTES TO EDITOR
• The Elisabeth Svendsen Trust for Children and Donkeys (EST) was founded by Dr Elisabeth Svendsen, MBE in 1975 (formerly The Slade Centre). It provides donkey-riding therapy to children with special needs and disabilities and offers therapeutic visits for elderly people in the local community. It currently has centres in Birmingham, Ivybridge, Leeds, Manchester and Sidmouth and a sixth centre will open in Belfast in 2011. The charity relies entirely on donations to continue its worthwhile work. For further information telephone: 01395 573133 or visit: www.elisabethsvendsentrust.org.uk
• The building of the new EST centre near Belfast is very timely – the OFMDFM’s 2009 Manifesto for Northern Ireland highlighted a clear need for more facilities that children with special needs and disabilities can use.