Dedicated RDA Volunteer Dies Suddenly

Dedicated Riding for the Disabled volunteer, Gill Anslow, died suddenly, and prematurely, on 8th May. She had made an enormous impact on RDA at both group and national level, reaching across carriage drivers and riders and influencing her groups, along with the RDA organisation as a whole, to make positive changes. Fierce and funny, smart as a whip, and a lover of speed and excitement, Gill was a doer who rolled up her sleeves and made a difference.

With a background as a professional educator and former head of Guildford College, Gill joined Farnham RDA group in 2013. She transformed the group into the first CIO in the South East Region. With her incisive grasp of requirements and ability to slice through bureaucracy and achieve a result, Gill made a daunting governance task a reality for Farnham. Gill also orchestrated a Royal Visit to the group by RDA President, HRH The Princess Royal, implemented Proficiency Tests, and helped Farnham group move to new premises.

Gill’s enthusiasm for carriage driving could not be denied and she joined the Stella Hancock RDA Driving Group (Worplesdon, Surrey) in 2016, where she began adapting the Proficiency Tests and the Endeavour Awards for carriage drivers with great success and where she had a special fondness for the glamourous piebald, Eddie, determined to get an outline from him.
Gill made an impact at National level, too, joining the RDA Education Committee as Chair in September 2015 and continuing to develop the RDA Education programme.

Gill strongly believed in the importance of building links between RDA groups and schools/colleges, recognising the value of an open and lively network of ‘education mentors’ in the regions - groups and volunteers who are willing to share their time, knowledge and experiences to help other local groups maximise RDA’s education programme.

Gill was a bundle of energy who empowered and supported everyone and she will be be sorely missed.

Lindsay Correa, Regional Chair