Teddington's Park Lane Stables have been crowned the Best Health Charity in the UK.

The Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) centre was recognised at a star-studded ceremony for the Sun's Who Cares Wins awards last week.

Their win was revealed during a national broadcast of the awards on Channel 4 tonight (20 September).

Presenting the award was TV star Chris Evans, who described Park Lane Stables as "an incredible charity that supports everyone from adults with mental health issues to children with autism."

"They simply deal in pure joy" he added.

Beaming, Park Lane Stables RDA co-founder Natalie O'Rourke and volunteer Philippa George went up to accept the Best Health Charity award together.

Natalie paid tribute to Riding for the Disabled Associations (RDAs) across the UK as she accepted the glass trophy.

Philippa thanked Natalie and all the people who help run the Teddington stables.

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"This is for everyone at Park Lane Stables" she said, holding the award aloft as the audience cheered.

The Teddington charity were given the award for their work supporting disabled people during the pandemic.

Park Lane Stables have been an RDA centre for 12 years, but 2020 was their toughest year yet as covid-19 restrictions limited the activities they could offer.

Financial struggles and the threat of eviction from their home also loomed large.

But the Teddington charity, described as a "tiny stables with a huge heart," adapted, bringing their friendly horses out to visit volunteers and riders.

And the stables showed their determination to stay in Teddington, raising an incredible £1 million to keep their home.

Following the reveal of their win, Park Lane Stables tweeted: "So proud to accept this award as winners of Best Health Charity in The Sun's #WhoCaresWins.

"We'd like to pay tribute to our @RDAnational family, our team and every volunteer that gives a moment of their time & of course our horses!"

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The Sun's Who Cares Wins awards were set up in 2017 and took place this year at the Roundhouse in London.

They were established to recognise Britain's outstanding healthcare workers including nurses, doctors, midwives and emergency response teams.

This year's VIP guests at the ceremony included Prince William, David Beckham and Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Watch the full awards show here.

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