A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Darkes Forest Riding Ranch keep its horses fed and survive the lockdown so it can reinstate 20 workers.
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Many of the horses, such as Ollie, Annie and Dusty, are rescue animals and regular riders include people with special needs who rank their visits as the highlight of every week.
The GoFundMe page was launched by Colleen Kemp who is hoping to raise $10,000 to help feed the horses and ensure Darkes Forest Riding Ranch, owned by Jules Read, makes it through the latest COVID-19 lockdown.
Mrs Kemp's family have been regular visitors for 14 years and she said it was a much-loved destination for people of all ages.
She said there is presently no income but the horses still need to be fed, rugged, shod and cared for.
"Jules Read, Keiron Tattler and the team do an amazing job caring for all 54 horses in the school," Mrs Kemp said.
"As you can imagine, it takes a lot of time, staff and money to care for this many horses."
Mrs Kemp said Darkes Forest was always a big supporter or charities such as anti-bullying organisation Dolly's Dream.
But right it's now the riding school that needs help.
I want to raise $10,000 to help provide everything the horses need
- Colleen Kemp
"My kids have grown up here," Mrs Kemp said. "Jules and her team are just such nice people - they're always the first people to put their hand up to help others.
"I want to raise $10,000 to help provide everything that the horses need and anything Darkes Forest needs money for to survive."
With no end to the lockdown in sight, Ms Read is grateful to the organisers of the GoFundMe, as well as others who have been volunteering their time to help feed the horses.
Ms Read said the current lockdown was far worse than what the riding ranch experienced in 2020 and she had started to worry about what would happen to the horses if she couldn't afford to keep them.
Since the gates closed in June, she has only been able to keep on two of 22 workers.
"I have been relying on volunteers to come and help me," she said.
"We get up each day and just get into it. There is not much feed on the ground."
Ms Read said the agistment business is still operating, which means she also has to feed those horses twice a day.
Under the COVID restrictions, Wollongong residents are able to come and exercise their horses but not owners from other LGAs unless the horse has an injury that requires immediate attention.
She said as soon as the lockdown ends, her team will be ready to welcome people back.
"Most of us are already vaccinated and as soon as we are able to open we will."
You can donate to the GoFundMe page here.
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