A YOUNG rider at the Saxon Riding for Disabled Group in Bradford on Avon has raised £725 to help them survive the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown.

Seven-year-old Maddie Thornton presented the group’s leader Kady Chatman and volunteer coach Jo Rutherford with a cheque on Tuesday, October 13 at the group’s facilities at the Widbrook Equestrian Centre.

Maddie, of The Churches, Bradford on Avon, is Year 3 pupil at Fitzmaurice Primary School.

She raised the money from donations of items and vouchers from local businesses to sell on an online auction on Facebook.

Kady Chatman said: "We have been overwhelmed with the support that Maddie has given us. It really has made a difference to us.

"We like to give a massive thanks to all the businesses which donated and to everybody who bid."

The Saxon RDA Group is struggling to survive the coronavirus lockdown and has been forced to rehome three of its remaining four horses, after having to put to sleep a fifth horse because of illness.

The group has been hard hit by a dramatic drop in income because of lockdown, with only eight of its usual 32 riders turning up to sessions.