DAWSON CREEK -- A Dawson Creek student has been named as one of the recipients of a prestigious award from the Rick Hansen Foundation.
Emma Stafford, a student at South Peace Secondary School, has been named ‘Difference Maker of the Year’ for her work with the North Peace Ride for the Disabled.
The program gives people with disabilities an opportunity to build self-esteem and confidence through horseback riding lessons.
As a riding coordinator, Stafford works to provide weekly riding opportunities for people with disabilities while training volunteers on how to move participants that use wheelchairs into specialized saddles.
In addition to her weekly duties, she also engages with those with live experience to seek input on activities that help further the programs reach.
Stafford is one of five recipients from across Canada awards the title.
The Foundation awards the title on a yearly basis to youth aged five to 18 across Canada who are making a positive impact on their communities through inclusive accessibility projects aimed at removing barriers for people with disabilities.
