Elisabeth Svendsen Trust

A donkey-riding centre for children with special needs based in Ivybridge has announced the grand opening of its new greenhouse by students of a Plymouth school on Thursday 11th March at 2pm. The greenhouse has been bought using funds raised by its Parents and Friends Association (PFA).

The Ivybridge Centre of The Elisabeth Svendsen Trust for Children and Donkeys (EST) will officially receive ownership of the new greenhouse from the PFA next Thursday. The charity has invited a group of senior students from Millford Special School to open the centre’s latest facility which will benefit children with special needs and disabilities who regularly visit.

Paula Betts, EST Ivybridge’s Centre Co-ordinator, says: “We are extremely thankful to the PFA for all their hard work fundraising and making this project come to life. It will complement the service we provide at the centre and gives the children extra activities to do, while they wait to ride our wonderful donkeys.”

“The students from Millford Special School, as well as many other children who visit the centre, will regularly help out in the greenhouse, learning about different plants, gardening and growing things to eat.”

EST provides valuable riding therapy to over 150 children with special needs at its centre and the surrounding area each week. The centre provides its service free of charge and relies upon its supporters for donations as it does not receive any government funding. It is supported by the PFA which helps raise funds and encourages parents, friends and supporters to be involved with its work.