Hours of hard work put into preparations for a Royal visit led to a very special invitation for riding therapy volunteer Jo Taylor – including a handshake from HM King Charles III.
For Jo, of Eyam, a Trustee at Helen Atkin Group Buxton Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), was invited to a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace attended by the monarch and HM Queen Camilla as a thank you for co-ordinating a visit by HRH The Princess Royal to the Derbyshire-based group in February.
“I was very surprised and flattered to be nominated, never mind receive the invitation, and feel very honoured,” said Jo, who was accompanied by her sister, Rebecca Cunningham, on Wednesday May 14. “It was a huge event, attended by 7,400 people from all walks of life and from all parts of the UK.
“So I was amazed to see the King walking past us, because the odds were so slim that he would. He paused to exchange a few words, I put my hand out and he shook it. It was a wonderful experience and we had a fabulous time enjoying afternoon tea while admiring all the lovely frocks and the very smart outfits of the Yeomen of the Guard.”
Added Janine Frost, Chairperson, Helen Atkin Group Buxton RDA: “Jo thoroughly deserved such a special day for spending so much time and effort co-ordinating The Princess Royal’s visit to our group at Buxton Riding School earlier this year. And I’m sure she was relieved that the weather at the Royal Garden Party in May was very much warmer than our covered arena on a very cold winter’s day!”
Jo first became involved in Helen Atkin Group Buxton RDA four years ago when she brought her granddaughter, Grace, who has cerebral palsy, for riding therapy sessions. Grace benefited from the experience so much, both physically and mentally, that Jo joined as a volunteer and later as a Trustee. She is now lead volunteer in regular carriage driving sessions, re-introduced by the group last year.
“The lovely thing about our RDA group is that it is truly a team effort, and I was so proud to be our representative at the Royal Garden Party,” said Jo. “Everyone shares their time and expertise in an atmosphere of complete inclusiveness, helping to enrich and enhance so many lives along the way.”
Helen Atkin Group Buxton is a voluntary group (charity number 1182183) providing riding therapy for disabled children and adults aged from six to over 60 across the High Peak, using selected horses and ponies hired from Buxton Riding School. For more information, visit its website at helenatkinrda.org.uk or its Facebook page at facebook.com/Buxton RDA.
