Disabled child's mother says Charlton riding club theft is 'absolute tragedy' (From News Shopper)

Disabled child's mother says Charlton Park Riding for the Disabled Association theft is 'absolute tragedy'

3:27pm Friday 8th March 2013 in News By Sarah Trotter

THE mother of a disabled child has spoken of the "absolute tragedy" of thieves swiping around £500 of equipment from her daughter’s "magical" Charlton riding club.

There were 14 disabled children who were denied their mobility-aiding pony ride at Charlton Park Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) following the raid on Tuesday morning.

A RDA volunteer hopes the crooks have a "miserable existence" after she discovered the break-in – where bridles, head collars and other gear were snatched.

Kay Campbell’s 12-year-old daughter Emily suffers from cerebral palsy and could hardly sit up straight before attending the volunteer-run club which she says acts like a "magic wand".

The 57-year-old, who lives off Rochester Way, Kidbrooke, told News Shopper: "It is an absolutely tragedy.

"It is terrible because without the equipment it affects so many disabled children each week. It is such a shame.

"Emily’s been riding here since she was three and to be honest with you it has made such a difference to her – she couldn’t even sit up before she came to Charlton Park and shortly after that she started to ride and now she can walk.

"It is like having a magic wand."

Speaking of the impact of the theft, she said: "If Emily doesn’t ride she gets very stiff. The riding enables her legs which are affected by cerebral palsy."

The grandmother-of-10 went on to praise volunteers at the riding group - one of the only free branches left in the country for disabled children aged two-and-a-half to 19 years of age.

Carol Kendall, who has volunteered for the association for 22 years, discovered the theft -  which is the third time the clearly-marked disabled club has been targeted in 20 years.

She told News Shopper: "I found a bridle on the path which had been dropped.

"I had just got up to put the hay down at 7am.

‘We had to cancel – some of those kids are in wheelchairs and that is their opportunity to get off them and experience a different viewpoint."

Speaking about the crooks, the 52-year-old mother-of-two added: "I hope they have a miserable existence and I hope someone takes something precious to them and that they never need us."

To find out more contact Charlton Park Riding for the Disabled Association on 020 8317 1528 . To donate click here.