Our Mission
To inspire generosity through community action while empowering vulnerable communities in Uganda with sustainable opportunities that restore dignity, create self-reliance and transform lives.
About the Trust
A registered Northern Ireland charity rooted in Saintfield, working with communities in Uganda.
Who we are
The Saintfield Christmas Charity Ride Charitable Trust is a registered Northern Ireland charity (No. NIC110259), rooted in Saintfield’s Christmas Charity Ride tradition and working with partners in Uganda and at home.
For nearly two decades the Ride has mobilised riders, spectators, and sponsors. Today that generosity is directed toward lasting community infrastructure in Kabumba Village, Kikandwa Sub-county, Mityana District, Uganda.
Our story
From a single festive ride to a registered charity with a long-term vision for Uganda.
2007
The Journey Begins
The first Saintfield Christmas Charity Ride is held, inspired by the visiting Mwamba Choir. Funds are raised for children in Uganda through Rock Ministries Northern Ireland Trust.
2009
Mwamba Choir Returns
The Mwamba Choir returns to Northern Ireland, helping raise funds towards the development of an orphanage in Uganda.
2007–Present
Annual Charity Events
The Saintfield Christmas Charity Ride continues each December, alongside the annual summer Saintfield Horse Show, bringing the community together to raise funds for charitable causes at home and in Uganda.
2018
End of an Era
After many years of partnership supporting children in Uganda, Rock Ministries Northern Ireland Trust retires.
2019
A New Partnership
A new partnership begins with IAM Academy through IAM Family Ministries, including funding for a borehole providing clean water to the school and surrounding community.
2022
Uganda Project Fund
The Uganda Project Fund is established, supporting the Kabumba borehole, classroom construction and wider community development.
2026
Charity Registered
Saintfield Christmas Charity Ride becomes a registered Northern Ireland charity, strengthening its foundation for the future.
December 2026
20th Anniversary
The 20th Saintfield Christmas Charity Ride marks two decades of fundraising, community spirit and lasting impact in Northern Ireland and Uganda.
Mission, Vision & Values
Our Vision
We envision thriving model communities where every child has access to education, every family has the opportunity to prosper, and every individual can fulfil their God-given potential.
Our Values
- Integrity
- Compassion
- Community
- Stewardship
- Faith
- Transparency
- Hope
Our focus now
We are building the Kabumba Model Village in Kabumba. Library construction is already underway. It is planned to include a public library, computer resource centre, school, sports ground, and related facilities — with further details to follow.
Public benefit
Our work is organised around four pillars of lasting change.
Clean water & health
Access to safe drinking water and reduced risk of water-borne disease in vulnerable Ugandan communities.
Boreholes at IAM Academy (300+ children) and Kabumba Village (100+ households).
Education
Access to quality education for underprivileged children through safe learning spaces and learning materials.
Classroom construction, scholarships, and scholastic materials.
Dignity & opportunity for girls
Support for girl-child education through sanitary provision for school-going girls.
Partnership with Upendo Now.
Livelihoods & resilience
Improved livelihoods, skills, and community capacity for youth and rural households.
Skills training, improved seed, and financial literacy initiatives.
What we do
Beyond our current capital project, the Trust’s broader remit includes six programme areas.
Water infrastructure
Boreholes for rural communities and schools in Uganda.
Learning spaces
Classroom construction for safe, quality education.
Learning access
Scholarships and scholastic materials for underprivileged children.
Girl-child health & education
Sanitary towels for school-going girls to support continued education.
Youth skills
Technical and practical training to counter youth unemployment.
Rural livelihoods
Agricultural productivity, resource conservation, and community financial literacy.
Who we serve
We focus on pre-school and school-age children, adolescent girls and women, youth, subsistence farmers, and communities displaced by conflict or natural disaster — alongside the wider public who support and benefit from the Trust’s work in Northern Ireland and abroad.
How we work
The Trust works through advice and advocacy, community development, and grant making — and by partnering with local and international organisations that share our objectives.
- Advice/advocacy/information
- Community development
- Grant making
Charitable purposes
- Prevention and relief of poverty in Uganda
- Advancement of health; identifying barriers and interventions for vulnerable people in Uganda
- Advancement of education in Uganda
- Channel for sustainable solar energy development in rural Uganda
- Other exclusively charitable purposes under Northern Ireland law as the Trustees may decide
- Partnership with local and international charities with similar objectives
Full charitable purposes
- (a) The prevention and relief of poverty in Uganda;
- (b) The advancement of health and to identify barriers to better health and potential interventions to enhance healthcare for vulnerable people in Uganda;
- (c) The advancement of education in Uganda;
- (d) To act as a channel for development and use of sustainable solar energy in the rural communities of Uganda;
- (e) To perform other exclusively charitable purpose according to the law of Northern Ireland as the Trustees may from time to time decide;
- (f) To partner with local and international charities and organisations with similar objectives in order to achieve the charitable purposes above.
Classifications
- The prevention or relief of poverty
- The advancement of education
- The advancement of health or the saving of lives
- The advancement of environmental protection or improvement
- Other charitable purposes
A message from our founder
Hear from Joan Cunningham
Read the story of how a small Christmas ride grew into a registered charity transforming lives in Uganda — and the vision that is shaping the next twenty years.
Registration & contact
Registered Charity No. NIC110259
17 Clanwilliams Court, Ballynahinch, BT24 8XG