RDA Fundraising
RDA (Episkopi) has to purchase and maintain its own horses. The annual cost for shoeing, veterinary bills, feed and tack for seven horses is well in excess of €10,000 making fundraising and donations a high and continuing priority. In order to help achieve this we organise various events and activities, of which the following are a few examples:
Lottery
A regular event is our monthly Lottery, which as well as raising funds for the RDA, provides an opportunity for participants to win a cash prize. The Lottery is expected to raise in excess of €1,000 this year.
Annual Events
Look out for us at the Episkopi Fete annually in September where we have a stall. We also hold a Musical Picnic at grounds of Flagstaff House each spring, which most recently featured entertainment by the Band of the Parachute Regiment. This year we raised €2,280 from the event, which included €965 from the Grand Draw and Gladstone bag.
Beer Festival
In July 2007, and again in September 2008, the Woodstock Pub in Episkopi Village hosted a fund raising event in aid of the RDA. Saturday afternoon was a fun day for all the family with face painting, children’s games and tombola among the attractions. Sunday afternoon featured the ‘Beer Olympics’ with lots of original games enjoyed equally by the spectators and participants. The two events concluded with an auction of goods and services and a raffle and raised nearly €7,000 which helped enormously with our running costs. The event also brought together Service Personnel, expatriates and Cypriots in much the same way as RDA (Episkopi).
Donations
We are grateful to the many individuals who have made donations to assist with our running costs, as well as the organisations and individuals who have donated prizes for our raffles and Christmas presents for our riders.
Due to publicity in journals, magazines, over the airwaves and of course by word of mouth, donations have been received from across the Island from Dhekelia to Paphos.
Recently the Dhekalia Cub Scouts raised, through various events and activities, the sum of €400. The Cubs camped in Happy Valley and during their stay presented their cheque to the RDA, following which they were treated to a horse riding session.
Sponsorships
We would also like to thank the groups and individuals who have raised money for the RDA through various sponsored activities such as sponsored walks, running races etc.
Finbarr Leahy of Episkopi Runners presents his cheque to RDA President Fiona Gordon.
Sponsored Walk
On 25th October nine Association members, along with partners and friends, took part in a sponsored walk in with proceeds in aid of Riding for the Disabled. The route was from Melanda Beach Restaurant to the cliffs overlooking Pissouri Bay and back.
The weather was warm and the sea views were stunning, especially down over Pissouri Bay.
The walk was undertaken at a leisurely pace and took two hours to complete. Everyone returned in good health to a much deserved drink at the restaurant.
The grand sum of 1,465.30 Euros was raised, a fantastic achievement in view of the number of walkers.
We now intend to make this an annual event.
If you would like to contact us for any matters relating to fund raising please see the ‘Contact RDA (Episkopi)’ page for full contact details.
