Archery, Kubben or Jeu de Boules. On Saturday, September 27, Manege de Baander in Meppel will turn into a small form of Olympic Games. Then the Horse Riding Stichting Handicappen Meppel and the surrounding area keeps the Baander Games there.
It is an event to raise as much money as possible, so that the foundation can buy a new covered bed for it. “Every week we make a lap with someone on the covered bed,” says Bert Robbe, chairman of the foundation. “As a result, people with a heavy disability can still ride.” But it is a heavy load. An instructor has to come along, a rider and volunteers walk around to ensure that things are all safe. “The clients are lifted on the covered bed with a lift.
The covered bed with which they now walk around forty times a week is outdated, and on the heavy side, making it heavy for the horses. “Many foundations in the area do not work here or have stopped. It is quite expensive and intensive. We want to keep going with it because we see that it helps,” says Robbe. “We are not only happy the forty people who are on the covered bed, but also family members and the environment. I think we will certainly make it happy 200 people a week.”
In addition to making people happy, it also works therapeutic. For example, blood circulation can be stimulated, but it can also be good for digestion and it can relieve complaints such as stuck lung mucus or constipation.
In September the foundation hopes for around 200 to 300 participants. They can sign up in teams of two. Afterwards there is another barbecue. “The intention is to guarantee the continuity of the Baander. About a tenth our income has to come from funds, then you are talking about 20,000 euros. One year it is easier to raise money than the other year. We hope to find some more regular sponsors.”