A MULTI-million pound project to create a centre of excellence for the Herefordshire Riding for the Disabled Association was launched at a glittering ceremony at Hereford's Ford Abbey.

A top public relations company has been enlisted to help the charity raise the millions it needs for the ambitious Wharton Bank project, near Leominster.

The mayor of Hereford, Marcelle Lloyd Hayes, has designated it as her mayor's charity. She was supported at the launch by Ed Bracher, chief executive of the Riding for the Disabled Association, Tim Hadaway, facilities consultant for the British Equestrian Federation, and successful Herefordshire racehorse trainer, Venetia Williams.

The Wharton Bank Project - a therapeutic centre of excellence - has become a reality with the purchase by Herefordshire RDA earlier this year of the site at Wharton, four miles from Leominster, on the Hereford road.

The purpose-built centre will provide therapeutic riding for adults and children of all levels and disabilities - both mental and physical. It will also help those people with long and short-term injuries. It will look after people from Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire and Staffordshire.

The existing centre at Holme Lacey College already caters for 400 riders and there are currently 65 volunteers, but the number of volunteers will increase once the new centre is completed. It is one of the few centres in the country to offer 'hippo therapy' or 'physiotherapy on a pony' for children as young as 18 months. The child's muscles are stimulated, they learn to balance their trunk and head and sit up unaided.

The project aims to broaden the opportunities available to disabled people by offering a wider range of complementary therapies and other opportunities.

Chirria Killingbeck, who runs PR firm EventBusters, said: "The achievements of our sportsmen and women and the success of the bid to host the Olympic Games in London in 2012 has given weight and depth to this project. The facilities are in line with the plans to establish regional centres of excellence for training and competition.

"This is a subject very close to my heart as, apart from my love of horses, I was told I would never walk again, let alone ride, at the age of 19 after a serious operation. The RDA is a marvellous organisation and people just do not realise the importance of riding."

The centre will provide high quality competition and training facilities that will actively encourage disabled sport at the same time as providing a suitable training and competition centre for the region.

"Now we need the dedication and support of many. If you feel you can help in any way please contact me on 01295 770198."