Inclusive horse-riding school “distraught” as donations box stolen

Saturday 08 October 2022

A local horse-riding school that aims to help islanders flourish in the saddle regardless of age or disability says it is “distraught” that money donated to help with the club’s activities has been stolen.

Home Farm Equestrian, which has helped Ryan Le Monnier achieve national success in disabled dressage contests, reported on Facebook that “all our sandschool donations and the coffee money” had been taken overnight between Wednesday and Thursday.

"We are reviewing the CCTV that we have all over the farm and we will find who it is and report them to the police if you know who it was or are involved please get in contact," they said.

Pictured: Home Farm Equestrian has helped Ryan Le Monnier, who has autism, to achieve national success in disabled dressage contests.

"This is heartbreaking," the inclusive school added, "the money goes into the club to provide all the fantastic things for the whole community... We can't believe this is happened after everything we try to do for the community."

It's the second example this week of a local community organisation being targeted by theft.

Acorn, which provides employment opportunities for islanders with disabilities and long-term conditions, reported this week that its honesty box had been taken from its vegetable stall.

It urged the culprit to come forward, offering support if they are struggling financially.

Many islanders have been sharing their support for both organisations on social media, offering to donate to help them make up the lost cash.

One such offer of kindness came from Hayley Martinho, who said on Home Farm's Facebook post: "A real sad day when people work hard for what they'e got to have someone swipe it from under them. Terrible... I'm hapy to make a small donation for the money lost."

Reflecting on the potential consequences of such thefts, Ann-Louise Bisson added: "Sadly this seems to be happening a lot, of late. I love the fact that we do have honesty boxes around the island, and I support them.

"It is part of our heritage, of the island life. It is because of theft, of either money or produce, we shall sadly lose them altogether!"