A SMALL charity which provides riding lessons and equine therapy for the disabled could be on the brink of closure if it can’t get the help they need to find a new home.

The North East Lancashire Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) is currently based at Clough Bottom Farm in Haslingden, but is hoping to find a more stable base which will allow them to continue working with those who have special needs.

Jody O’Brien, an experienced horsewoman with years of teaching under her belt, founded the North East Lancashire branch of the RDA in 2014, in what she describes as a ‘dream come true’.

For some time she was based at a friend’s stables in Oswaldtwistle, but after the stables were sold she was faced with no other option than to pay to keep her three therapy horses - Jamie, Ziggi and Ted - in a busy livery yard.

But now Ms O’Brien is desperately seeking either investors or someone with a yard who may be able to help the charity.

She said: “We’ve had a wonderful time at Clough Bottom Farm, but the time has come for us to move on and find our own space.

“The yard is a busy livery stables with over 40 horses and it can be very noisy and frantic.

“This isn’t a good environment for the work we’re trying to achieve.

“We have also had to stop our work with local schools as we can’t accommodate them with the limited space we have here.”

Ms O’Brien, who lives in a caravan on-site with her son so she can be near her horses, is now hopeful that someone may be able to help her finding a forever home for the charity.

She said: “We are one of the best-equipped RDA groups in Lancashire and our specialist equipment means even those with the most complex of physical disabilities can access riding therapy."

The mother-of-one has found a ‘perfect’ home for the charity, but has said she needs help with the deposit.

She said: “The land we have found is perfect, it's six acres and has seven stables, a barn and an arena. I am willing to take on the mortgage and I am confident that I can generate the repayments.

"I am keen, competent and qualified. I also have a waiting list and know people would use the service.

If anybody is either willing to donate, invest or help the charity contact Ms O’Brien at jodysponies@gmail.com.