AN Alresford shop has donated £15,000 to a charity which helps disabled people by using therapeutic horse-riding.

The Southern Co-operative store raised the cash as part of its community support scheme.

Retail business manager, David Fulton, presented the cheque to Nigel Hoppitt, chair of Broadlands Riding for the Disabled, based in Medstead.

Mr Hoppitt said the money will be used for tree and stables maintenance, and a new large mounting block to make mounting easier and safer.

“I would like to thank the customers of The Southern Co-operative store in Alresford, for thinking of us when they shopped,” he said.

“We also appreciate the generosity of The Southern Cooperative in their support. Having the promotion in store has led to other fund raising activities and offers of help from the local community. We enter 2015, our 60th anniversary year of offering therapeutic rides to local disabled children and adults, knowing our facilities are safe for all who use them.”

Mr Fulton said it was an easy decision to support the scheme.

“This charity, which is run by such dedicated volunteers, makes an amazing difference to the lives of people it helps,” he said.

“As a co-operative it’s our business ethos to make a positive difference where we trade by supporting local good causes through fundraising and volunteering support, for example.”

Last year the community scheme donated £10,000 to Busy Bee Pre-School, in Bishop’s Sutton, and £5,000 to Alresford Rugby Football Club Minis.