A riding centre for people with special needs has benefited from the generosity of shoppers in Barkingside.

Thanks to donations to a charity box in the Sainsbury’s store in Tanners Lane, staff were able to visit the Chigwell Riding Trust to present a cheque for £1,500.

Deborah Hall, the manager of the Trust in Grange Farm, High Road, Chigwell, gratefully accepted the donation and was extra pleased because she’d only be expecting a £1,000 gift.

She said: “Every penny will be put to good use.”

The Trust started in 1958 and Deborah has been its manager for more than 25 years.

Around 160 riders visit each week.

Store manager Chris Wager said: “We chose the Trust because of the fantastic work they do with people of all ages with special needs – achieving some fantastic results.”