Roll Of Honour

Our President, Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, Princess Anne is a great supporter of RDA, championing our work as a national charity and visiting our groups as often as she can. Each year she presents a select group of volunteers across the country with the coveted President's Award. The President’s Award is the most prestigious volunteer award within RDA and is awarded for service of an exceptional nature over a period of not less than 30 years.

Susan Jane Coote, Court Meadow, East Sussex
Mary Biggs, Cranleigh, Surrey

Deirdre Mellor, Happy Landings Driving Group

Deirdre has been a volunteer, trustee and coach at Happy Landings for 24 years. She has taken care of two of the group's ponies on her farm ensuring that they are always fit, well and exercised. Every week she transports the two ponies to the session always looking immaculate however wet and muddy it has been!

Deidre bought a mare 17 years ago who she put in foal with the sole intention of breeding a pony for the group. Rocky has been an amazing pony over the last ten years, never missing a single week since he joined the group!

Deirdre has also taught three of the group's volunteers to become coaches and with her help and support they all passed their assessments the first time.