Deutsche Bank said its Middle East Foundation has inked a partnership deal with Rashid Centre for the Disabled to support their Therapeutic Horse Riding Programme for Children with Disabilities in 2014.

Therapeutic Riding is the use of horses and equine-assisted activities in order to achieve goals that enhance physical, emotional, social, cognitive, behavioral and educational skills for people who have disabilities, said the DB foundation which is celebrating its 5th anniversary.

By covering both operational and one-off equipment cost, the partnership will allow the Rashid Centre for the Disabled to maintain their access to HoofbeatZ facilities, horses and professional instructors to sustain the programme in 2014.

Commenting on the partnership, Philippe Vollot, the chairman of Deutsche Bank’s Middle East Foundation and the Bank’s regional COO, said: "We are delighted and proud to be able to offer these special children the opportunity to improve their wellness, have unique experiences, and enhance their self-esteem."

"Through our Middle East Foundation we continue to bring our unparalleled global commitment to the communities where we live and operate in," he remarked.

Mariam Othman, the director of the Rashid Centre for the Disabled, said: “We are grateful for the generous support of Deutsche Bank’s Middle East Foundation and for giving our children the opportunity to participate in this valuable therapeutic activity.”

Established in 2008, the Middle East Foundation is one of Deutsche Bank’s many foundations around the globe across Asia, Africa and the Americas.

In addition, Deutsche Bank has active corporate social responsibility programs across Europe and the UK. Its Middle East Foundation focuses on funding investments in arts, education, community development, sustainability, and volunteering in the Mena region.-TradeArabia News Service