Urgent appeal to save Special Horses for Special Children from closure (From This is The West Country)

Urgent appeal to save Special Horses for Special Children from closure

12:30pm Wednesday 26th September 2012 in News

AN urgent appeal has gone out from a centre which offers equine therapy to children with autism, and emotional and behavioural problems, because it is on the brink of closure unless funding can be found.

Staff and volunteers at Special Horses for Special Children, based at Scrapton Farm in Wadeford, are worried that the project could close on September 28.

Lilias Ahmeira, who runs the centre and first set it up in 2010, said: “We’re appealing to anyone out there who could be a serious sponsor of the life-changing work we’re doing.

“If help can’t be found by September 28 we’ll have to close down. We can’t let this happen as there are too many families and schools across the country who need us and want to come here.”

Special Horses for Special Children aims to allow children and young adults with disorders such as autism to develop a special healing relationship with horses and animals.

Horses have been trained in classical dressage and circus tricks to interact with youngsters in a unique way.

“This therapy changes the lives of the children and their families who have been struggling to cope,” said Lilias.

“We’re a very special family here and none us want to leave.

“We have plans for future fundraising, but unless we get through this tunnel to the light we know the horses will have to be sold and the whole operation will be lost forever.”

If anyone knows a benefactor who can save the day they are urged to call 01460-66990, while more information is available at specialhorsesforchildren.com