A family-run equestrian retailer has joined forces with riding helmet brand Evoke to replace every riding hat at a Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) centre that is fighting to avoid closure.Discount Equestrian in North Yorkshire has donated a complete set of new helmets to the RDA Unicorn Centre in Hemlington, Middlesbrough, helping the charity avoid a significant safety-related expense as it works to secure its future.The centre provides riding lessons, equine-assisted therapy and volunteering opportunities for children and adults with additional needs from across the Tees Valley. As a self-funding charity, it relies on income from activities, fundraising, grants and donations, and recently launched a 100,000 rescue appeal after warning it was at risk of closing.I knew we had to helpThe donation followed a visit to the centre by Discount Equestrian managing director Barbara Wrathall to discuss ways the business could offer support.During the visit, chief instructor Cheryl McKay explained that the charitys riding hats were due to be replaced a necessary expense because safety recommendations mean helmets used by riding schools and centres typically need replacing around every three years.When Cheryl told me what they were facing, I knew we had to help, said Barbara. Replacing every hat is a big, unavoidable cost that comes around every three years, and for a charity already under real financial pressure, thats a huge weight to carry. We wanted to take that worry off their plate completely.Discount Equestrian then approached award-winning British helmet manufacturer Evoke, which agreed to match-fund the project.Together, the two businesses have supplied the centre with a full replacement stock of Evoke skull caps at no cost to the charity.Were incredibly grateful to Barbara and the team at Discount Equestrian, and to Evoke for their generosity, said Cheryl. Replacing all our hats is something we have to do every few years, and its a real expense for us. To have that taken care of means one less thing to worry about while we focus on securing the centres future and keeping our riders safe.Extraordinary workBarbara said the retailer wanted to support a charity making a difference in its local community.The Unicorn Centre does extraordinary work every single day, and right now they need all the support they can get, she said. Were proud to play a part in that, and hugely thankful to Evoke for stepping up alongside us.The Unicorn Centres 100,000 rescue appeal remains open, with the charity continuing to seek donations to help safeguard its future. You can donate here.Main image from left: Billy the RDA horse, Cheryl McKay and Barbara Wrathall with the new helmetsRelated contentPopular RDA centre saved from closure, but future lies in communitys handsIts changed my life: New report highlights RDAs vital contributionResearch into how riding helmets perform in rotational falls could lay groundwork for new standardsHow to choose the best helmet camera for horse riding, plus seven on the marketThe post Companies unite to replace riding hats for struggling RDA centre appeared first on Your Horse.