About
PPEDS (Ponies and Pets Educating Diabetics and Siblings) is a registered charity that was founded in 1994 for support children that have been diagnosed with Type 1 & 2 Diabetes. Our aim is for children with Type 1 Diabetes to understand and manage their condition, and we help them to do this in a unique, engaging and exciting way - using animals/pets who have conditions similar to diabetes. The children gain an insight into how exercise and food affect the animals, why decisions are made around their care and management, and learn how to administer their own medication. Siblings and parents/guardians are all welcome to take part.
When the charity was founded, the riding school Hampshire Riding Therapy Centre supported the charity and provided the ponies and animals used in the sessions. Sadly, the riding school was closed in May 2019 and so the charity has since started up Morelands Copse Camping to create revenue for the charity and to support the children in their sessions with workshops and camping activities. The campsite was started in July 2020 and there is a lot of work to be done, we have had several volunteer weekends with small groups to clear and clean the site ready for guests. Since then we have had around 200 people stay with us and all that have have loved it. The project is in its infancy and so we do not have a great deal of facilities, there is no electricity to the site only running water and Portaloo style toilet. The aim is to raise funds to start various projects that we have lined up for the site including showers, toilets, tree houses and many more.
Currently, we are working on a project with the BBC to build an outdoor kitchen and a 'pig pen' to stay in within our ancient woodland. This project is going on currently and we have carpenters, painters and tree surgeons working on it.
As the site is rural and based around a woodland, work is constantly ongoing to clear paths, maintain fencing and build and repair projects. Our aim is to have a cosy and comfortable rural retreat ready for the camping season next year starting in the Spring.
Sorry, there are currently no opportunities available for this organisation.