Elisabeth Svendsen Trust

A large steel frame for a new donkey-riding therapy centre for children with special needs just outside Belfast has now been erected, and a ribbon cutting ceremony is being held to celebrate on Thursday 29th July at 10am.

Staff from the Devon headquarters of the Elisabeth Svendsen Trust for Children and Donkeys charity (EST) will visit the centre in Ballypalady near Templepatrick to celebrate the event. The occasion was re-scheduled after an attempt to cut the ‘first sod’ earlier in May was hindered by travel chaos caused by the volcanic ash cloud.

The grand scale of the centre can now be observed at the site and work will soon begin on the next stage of the construction to clad the steel frame.

When completed in early 2011, the EST Belfast Centre will include an indoor riding arena and stables for the donkeys. The centre will offer a free donkey-riding therapy service to hundreds of children in Northern Ireland who have special needs and disabilities.

Earlier in June the CEO of EST, John Akers, met with the Regional Strategy Board for Special Educational Needs to introduce the Head of Children and Young People Services and her colleagues to the riding therapy that will be on offer.

He said: “The meeting we had could not have gone better and everyone seemed incredibly enthused by the facilities and services we will have available at our new EST Belfast Centre. Donkey therapy has been life changing for many of the children who visit our five centres that already exist so we’re looking forward to bringing a little ‘donkey magic’ to Northern Ireland!

“We are excited to be entering the next stage of the construction and everything looks to be on time and on target so far.”

The EST charity is looking to raise funds towards building and equipping the centre and has launched a ‘Buy a Brick’ scheme on its website. EST hopes this will inspire individuals and businesses throughout Northern Ireland to make a donation.

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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All members of press and media are invited to attend. Key spokespersons including John Akers, CEO of EST will be present at the event for photo and interview opportunities, along with donkeys.

Please RSVP to the EST Press Office by Wednesday 28th July on 01395 573097 or by reply email. The postcode of the new EST Belfast Centre is BT39 0BS and the on-day contact is Allen Andrews - 07717 814946.