A CHARITY that was saved from closure is set to celebrate its long-awaited move to a new home.

The Harwich Horse Rangers group struck a deal with the nearby Ramsay Manor care home, in Ramsey, to move its horses there.

The group was under threat last year when it was forced to give up its grazing field, with the owner selling the land.

After a flood of support from businesses and residents, it received an offer to move to the site of the care home.

The charity will hold a grand opening day at its new site, in Michaelstowe Drive, Ramsey, on Saturday, June 11, at 11am.

There will be a display ride, followed by a blessing from the Bishop of Colchester , a vaulting demonstration, stalls and refreshments .

Mel Mallett, charity trustee and fundraising officer, described it as the perfect home , with the location just across the road from their old fields.

“We have been in Harwich for 25 years providing a service not only for children, but also for the Riding for the Disabled Association,” said Mel.

“We take in children from the age of eight and are open to anyone.

“The traditional view of horse riding is that it is only for the better off – we break that mould.

“If children cannot afford it, we still allow them to come. That is allowed by the charity, we don’t receive any funding.

“We recently set ourselves a target of raising £25,000, which we have now achieved.

“We decided to raise a thousands pounds for every year we have been running.

We raised £10,000 through local people fundraising through sponsored walks, raffles and kid’s fun days. Wix Young Farmers donated us £2,000.

She added: “It is absolutely fantastic, we have been so well supported by the community.

“This is a very determined group, we have always been open with the children about our future from day one.

“That has really paid off. Some of done sponsored silences at school for example.”