On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we would like to say a huge thank you to every member of staff and volunteer for your hard work and support over recent months.
It has been an incredibly busy summer at the Unicorn Centre, with Pony Care, HAF, Tea with a Pony, riding lessons, Unicorn Day, our National Racecourse Week Open Day and many other activities taking place. None of it would have been possible without the commitment, flexibility and enthusiasm of the people who give their time to the Centre.
🎉 Unicorn Day
We want to start by celebrating the success of Unicorn Day.
Thank you to everyone who helped plan, organise and deliver the event. A particular thank you goes to Denise and Cheryl, who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to bring everything together, but it was very much a team effort involving staff, volunteers and supporters from across the Centre.
The event raised valuable funds for the Centre and we were also fortunate to receive Barclays match funding through two of our volunteers, which boosted the final total. Thank you to everyone who played a part in making the day such a success.
🏇 Friday Night Fences and Unaffiliated Dressage
Our Friday Night Fences series, sponsored by Discount Equestrian, has continued to be a great success.
This event, plus others like Unaffiliated Dressage and our regular BD Quest events have attracted new visitors, raised important funds and created a fantastic atmosphere around the Centre. Thank you to all the staff and volunteers who have given up their evenings and worked behind the scenes to make them happen.
🦆 The Little Things Matter
We would like to thank the Hollingworth and Phillips families for decorating and entering two fantastic ducks in the Stockton Round Table Duck Race to help promote the Unicorn Centre.
Thank you also to Gemma for creating a brilliant video of the making of one of the ducks which has been a huge hit across our social media channels.
It is often the extra efforts like these that help raise awareness of the Centre and support what we do. We know there are many examples of people quietly going the extra mile and we are grateful to every one of you.
🏆 Teesside Golden Giveaway
Earlier this summer we were delighted to win the Teesside Golden Giveaway, securing £5,000 towards the purchase of a larger horse to help increase our riding capacity.
Thank you to everyone who voted, shared the campaign and encouraged others to support us. The strength of support from our local community was wonderful to see.
🐴 Equine Update
We were recently sad to say goodbye to Iris, who has now returned to her owner. We are incredibly grateful to Iris and her family for allowing her to be part of the Unicorn Centre.
At the same time, we have welcomed Henry and Alf to the Centre, and more recently Paris, who has joined us on a trial basis. We are also exploring several other potential loan opportunities as we continue to develop our riding programme and increase capacity for riders.
🎁 Support from Our Community
A huge thank you to Millbry Hill Country Store for providing workwear for staff and new rugs for our horses and ponies.
We would also like to thank Discount Equestrian and John Kilner Transport for their ongoing support. John and his team have recently helped improve our outdoor stables through repairs, replacement timber work and upgraded lighting.
The support of local businesses continues to make a real difference to the Centre.
🏠 Improving the Centre
We are pleased to have secured funding for improvements to our foyer area, with work expected to begin in September.
A special thank you goes to Gabrielle, who has worked hard to secure both funding and an artist to help bring this project to life. We hope this will be the first of several improvements planned across the site.
🔨 Can You Help?
We are still looking to build a small group of volunteers who can assist with maintenance, groundworks and general improvement projects around the Centre.
If you, or someone you know, might be interested in volunteering practical skills and experience, please contact Denise for further information.
🤝 Supporting Our Volunteers
Improving support and engagement for volunteers remains a key priority for the Board.
We have started introducing volunteer training and engagement sessions, with the first session taking place this week and led by Tara. We hope these events will provide opportunities to learn, share ideas and help both existing and new volunteers feel supported and connected to the Centre.
📝Staff Update
We're sorry to confirm that Cheryl has chosen to move on to pastures new and will be leaving the Unicorn Centre during September.
On behalf of the Trustees, we would like to thank Cheryl for her dedication, commitment and contribution over the years. She has given a great deal to the Centre and we wish her every success in the future.
👥 Operations and Management
As many of you know, Georgina has been serving as Interim Manager over recent weeks and has played a key role in helping the Centre through a particularly busy period. We are extremely grateful for her hard work and commitment. The summer holidays has seen us introduce many new activities and offers which can be repeated to bring in additional income.
Following that we have now welcomed Sally into a more operational role from the Board, providing additional support and continuity as we continue to strengthen the day-to-day running of the Centre.
Our priorities remain clear: maintaining the high standards of equine welfare the Centre is known for while continuing to improve efficiency, sustainability and the experience we provide for riders, volunteers and visitors.
📅 Coming Up
Quiz Night
Friday 4 September | Stainton Village Hall
Our fundraising quiz night is fast approaching and we would love to see strong support for the event. If you are planning to attend, please book your tickets and encourage friends and family to join you.
Friends of the Unicorn Centre Meeting
Tuesday 8 September | 6:30pm
Everyone is welcome to join us in the Conference Room to discuss fundraising, activities and future opportunities for the Centre. If you have ideas about generating income, attracting supporters or developing new activities, we'd love to hear them.
Staff & Volunteer BBQ and Awards Night
Friday 11 September | 6:30pm
This free evening is our chance to say thank you to all our staff and volunteers. There will be a BBQ, entertainment and the first screening of our new Unicorn Centre mini-documentary. We are looking forward to sharing it with you and hope as many people as possible can attend.
Please let the office know if you are coming so that catering arrangements can be made.
Halloween Pony Rides
Friday 30 October
Planning is already underway for our Halloween Pony Rides event, which will include pony rides, competitions, activities and plenty of family fun.
A big thank you to the Friends of the Unicorn Centre volunteers who are already working behind the scenes on the event. We will also be looking for additional help on the day, so please keep an eye out for opportunities to get involved.
Looking Ahead
We are also exploring plans to mark Armistice Day through activities involving our supported volunteers and the important role working animals have played in service throughout history. Further details will be shared soon.
And, of course, planning is already underway for a number of Christmas events, with more information to follow over the coming months.
❤️ Finally, Thank You
There is a great deal happening across the Unicorn Centre and there is plenty to look forward to.
None of it would be possible without the people who make this organisation what it is. Whether you work directly with riders, care for our horses and ponies, support events, volunteer behind the scenes or help spread the word about the Centre, your contribution matters and is valued.
Thank you for everything you do, and for continuing to support the Unicorn Centre.
Best wishes,
The Board of Trustees
RDA Unicorn Centre