Bendigo Bank is today celebrating International Day of People with a Disability by highlighting a remarkable organisation which brings smiles and joy to all who visit.
Riding for the Disabled Association Ryde Centre, in Marsfield New South Wales, helps improve the physical, emotional, and social well-being of children facing various challenges through equestrian therapy programs and is supported by Community Bank Epping.
Established in 2003, Community Bank Epping is part of Bendigo Bank’s unique Community Bank model, which laid the foundations for new style of sustainable banking that delivers profit with purpose and has led to $280,000 in donations to RDA centres across Australia over the last eight years and over $40 million to communities across Australia in FY24.
Today, on International Day of People with a Disability, the Bank is honouring one of the newest residents at RDA Ryde Centre - Bendigo the horse, or “Bendy” as he’s been nicknamed.
Rob Phillips, Chair of Community Bank Epping said when the Centre came to the Bank and said they needed support to secure an additional horse, the branch was happy to help.
“After months of patient training by the Centre’s horse whisperer, Megan, the new horse is being introduced into classes. Renamed Bendigo (or Bendy for short!), he is a beautiful calm presence and quickly learning his place alongside his stablemates,” Mr Phillips said.
“We’ve also helped RDA Ryde with a grant for solar panels on the roof of the arena – which has already helped reduce the Centre’s running costs. We also fund transport to and from the Centre and this year, we helped to add roofing over their horse-grooming area to ensure activities can continue rain, hail or shine,” Mr Phillips concluded.
Tina Clifton, from RDA Ryde Centre said the entire team was incredibly grateful for the support from Community Bank Epping.
“The generous donations from Community Bank Epping allows us to continue providing high-quality therapy sessions to children who would otherwise not have access to this life-changing experience,” Tina said.
Bendigo Bank CEO Richard Fennell said he was pleased to see yet another heartening example of how the Community Bank model was continuing to improve the lives of Australians every day.
“We are proud of the great work our Community Bank partners are doing every day and were honoured to learn that RDA Ryde Centre was naming one of its much-loved horses after the Bank.”
Mr Fennell said the Bank would mark International Day of People with a Disability by highlighting the contributions people with a disability make in the community with inspirational speaker Turia Pitt scheduled to give an address to Bendigo Bank team members.
“Bendigo Bank is committed to building an inclusive and accessible workplace and today we join a global community in calling to attention the importance of creating an inclusive world for people with disabilities, fostering equal opportunities and empowering individuals to live life to the fullest.”
To watch a series of videos about Bendy the Horse, please visit the Bank’s YouTube page.
To learn more about Bendigo Bank’s vision for accessibility and inclusion, visit: https://www.bendigobank.com.au/about-us/accessibility-and-inclusion/
For more information on International Day of People with a Disability, visit: https://www.idpwd.com.au/
