A £3,500 WHEELCHAIR access ramp has been presented to the Vale of Glamorgan Riding for the Disabled Centre by the Rotary Club of Barry.

The ramp was officially opened with the cutting of a ribbon at the riding club's meeting place at the Grange, St Bride’s Super Ely.

The wheelchair accessible ramp will enable disabled children to experience the joy of riding.

It was specially made on behalf of the club by Barry based company Fabmec Limited.

Vale of Glamorgan Riding for the Disabled, which gives support, commitment, encouragement and care to enable disabled children to achieve more and more each day, celebrated its 50th anniversary last year and totally relies on voluntary help and donations in order to deliver its service.

It brings together children and ponies to create a unique environment of training, therapy and fun, encouraging individual achievement from sitting on a pony for the first time to working towards proficiency awards. Progress is celebrated at every level.

Organiser Clare Cory said that the ramp, modelled after one designed for the Special Olympics, had made a tremendous difference making it much easier for the students to get on the ponies, especially those using wheelchairs and, thanks to the special ramp, they were now able to help 20 students.

The Rotary Club of Barry raised more than £1400 from a Pork in the Park Barbeque in August at the Welsh Hawking Centre, organised by past president Griff who tragically died later in the year.

The rest of the money came from the Rotary Club’s other fundraising events held during the year and the club would like to thank once again the general public for their continued support which makes such donations possible.

Rotary has more than one million members worldwide who form a global network of business, professional and community volunteers.

The Rotary Club of Barry meets weekly in the Glenbrook Inn on Thursdays 6pm for 6.30pm.

If you would like further information you can speak to club secretary Phil Hunt on 01446 700455 or look online at ribi.org.