Thousands of pounds in ill-gotten cash seized from drug dealers will be given to a stable supporting disabled jockeys.
Since the start of last year, Liverpool Crown Court has handed over monies taken from criminals to a charity of the month as part of Operation Payback. The selected good cause for June will be Rainhill-based East Liverpool RDA, which provides horse riding lessons for children and adults with disabilities.
Chairman Natalie Burns said: "The stables and the programmes are developed to be accessible for people with a range of disabilities and we welcome participants and volunteers from across the region. Our charity offers a wide range of activities with a horse or pony at the heart of each activity.
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"We provide horse riding, therapy, horse care sessions and tea with a pony sessions along with sessions tailored to individual needs. We have between 80 and 100 participants that attend through groups, schools or independently each month from across Liverpool who all live with a variation of disabilities and mental health needs.
"Many of the children and adults living with disabilities often have difficulty establishing relationships and are uncomfortable with social interaction with people but will develop a close bond with a pony. Naturally curious, horses and ponies are totally non-judgmental – seeing through a disability to the person within.
"The funds donated to us from Liverpool Crown Court as a result of the proceeds of crime will be used for the upgrade of our arena and riding area development. This will enable us to enhance the participants experience and engage more participants."