A selection of current appeals
Sensory and Hydrotherapy
We are seeking funding to purchase sensory equipment for 2 Special Educational Needs (SEN) schools. and hydrotherapy treatments at 1 SEN School, the equipment is needed to enhance their educational and therapeutic facilities.
Each of these schools serves a critical role in providing specialised education and care to children with diverse and complex needs.
The sensory equipment required is essential for the development and well-being of the students. Sensory rooms and equipment provide a safe and stimulating environment that helps children with sensory processing disorders, autism, and other developmental challenges to explore and understand their senses, improve their motor skills, and reduce anxiety.
The required sensory equipment includes:
Sensory Crash Pit Slides: x 2, Sound Steps: (set of 6) x 4, Tactile Panels x2, Interactive Bubble Tubes & Light Panels: x 2, Steppingstones: (pack of 6) x 4, Low-Profile Sling Swing: x 2, A-Swing Platform Swing: x 2, Yuck-Balls: (set of 6) x 4, Pops Toobs: (set of 8) x 16, Weighted Blankets: x 10, Aura LED: Projector: x 2, Fibre Optic Spray Harness: x2
These tools are not luxuries; they are vital for creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment that meets the specific needs of the students.
Additionally, the other SEN school is seeking funding to have comprehensive Hydrotherapy, Cycle/Sensory, and Rebound/Cycle Sensory sessions.
Hydrotherapy + Cycle Sensory and Rebound + Cycle Sensory classes offer several benefits for Special Educational Needs (SEN) schools due to their unique approaches in addressing physical, sensory, and cognitive needs of students. Here’s a detailed explanation of why these classes is beneficial: Hydrotherapy + Cycle Sensory
The Physical Benefits are:
Improved Mobility and Strength:
Hydrotherapy involves exercises in warm water, which supports the body and reduces the risk of injury. It helps improve muscle strength, flexibility, and overall mobility.
Pain Relief:
The warmth and buoyancy of water can relieve pain and reduce muscle spasms, making physical activities more comfortable for students with physical disabilities or conditions Sensory Benefits:
Enhanced Sensory Integration:
The multi-sensory environment of hydrotherapy helps students process sensory information better. The combination of water resistance, pressure, and temperature provides a rich sensory experience.
Relaxation and Stress Reduction:
The soothing nature of water can help reduce anxiety and stress, creating a calming effect on students with sensory processing issues or autism
Cognitive and Social Benefits: Improved Focus and Attention: Engaging in water activities can enhance concentration and focus, which can positively impact academic performance and daily tasks.
Social Interaction:
Group activities in hydrotherapy promote social skills, cooperation, and communication among students.
Rebound + Cycle Sensory
Physical Benefits:
Improved Balance and Coordination:
Rebound therapy involves using trampolines, which helps improve balance, coordination, and proprioception. This can be particularly beneficial for students with motor control issues.
Enhanced Strength and Endurance:
Regular sessions can build muscle strength and cardiovascular endurance, promoting overall physical health.
Sensory Benefits:
Vestibular Stimulation: Rebound therapy provides strong vestibular (balance) input, which can help regulate the sensory system and improve spatial orientation.
Proprioceptive Feedback:
The bouncing and movement provide significant proprioceptive feedback, helping students understand their body position and movement better.
The total cost for these projects is £12.271.
The sensory items will be divided between both schools so each schools’ items will be duplicated. We believe that with your generous support, we can make a profound difference in the lives of these children, providing them with the resources they need to thrive.
Michael:
We have recently received a letter from a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist requesting funding for a young child named Michael aged 7 with special needs who relies on his Tobii Dynavox device for communication. Michael's current speech case is broken, which has severely impacted his ability to interact with his family, teaching staff, and peers both at home and in his mainstream school setting.
Michael exhibits obsessive, stimulatory, and sensory behaviours. He is always active and frequently draws on walls at home and school. He has a special interest in switches, which he seeks out in any room he enters.
Additionally, he persistently knocks items off shelves and tables, and he does not sleep well.
Despite these challenges, he receives full-time one-to-one Teaching Assistant support at school. Over the past year, Michael has made remarkable progress using his talker. The device allows him to communicate for a variety of purposes and to create novel messages, enabling him to participate in lessons and demonstrate his learning. The TD speech case is essential because it amplifies the volume of his communication, ensuring he can be heard in the classroom. Unfortunately, the current case's condition has made it difficult for Michael to use his talker effectively, hindering his communication and learning process.
Given the crucial role this device plays in his life, we are seeking your assistance in finding a replacement speech case supplied by Tobii Dynavox Global. This support will ensure Michael continues to progress and communicate effectively with those around him.
The cost to replace Michael’s case is £718.00
Providing Respite & Holiday Breaks
A short break away is often key for the survival of family relationships during the roller-coaster ride of childhood illnesses, for this reason, we feel it is important to give families the quality time together that they need, away from hospitals, doctors, treatment, and stress.
Respite homes:
Our respite homes are situated at Haven's Golden Sands Holiday Park, Mablethorpe We can now provide respite breaks for between 90 and 100 families each year. The Park has amenities to suit all ages whether rain or shine, it is wheelchair friendly throughout and both are within proximity to all amenities. Our respite homes are well equipped with the following: wheelchair access ramp, hoist in main bedroom, adapted wet room, lowered work surfaces, lowered light switches and sockets, wheelchair access to each room, extra wide sliding doors, fully accessible throughout, central heating, double glazing, and external electric sockets for charging electric wheelchairs.
The cost of running both homes this season (2024) is £19,919.00
This includes site fees and access passes so our families may use all amenities free of charge.
Holiday Home:
Our holiday home is situated at Butlins in Skegness. Owning this home also allows us to offer children and their families from underprivileged or poverty-stricken backgrounds to have a holiday they simply could not afford.
We often assist families with food, travel expenses and spending money to assist during their break.
We believe it is imperative for children in their situation to have a short holiday break away from the stress and trauma of their day-to-day living. We also firmly believe it is very important for children in these conditions have a chance to build lasting memories.
The cost of running the holiday home this season (2024) is £10,242.00
This includes site fees and access passes so families may use all amenities free of charge.
Community Togetherness:
We are seeking support for a vital initiative that we believe can transform the lives of disadvantaged children in various communities. We are launching a photography program aimed at children aged
16-18, providing them with a creative outlet and practical skills that could lead to future employment opportunities.
Photography is not just an art form but a powerful medium for storytelling and self-expression. For many of our young participants, it offers a rare chance to explore their creativity and gain confidence. More importantly, it equips them with valuable skills that are highly marketable in today’s digital age. With proper guidance and resources, these young individuals could turn their passion for photography into a viable career path.
Our program will cover various aspects of photography, including technical skills, artistic techniques, and the business of photography. We plan to partner with local photographers and industry professionals to provide mentorship and hands-on training. However, to make this vision a reality, we need financial support to cover essential costs such as cameras, equipment, training materials, and instructor fees.
Your contribution will directly impact the lives of these childrenhello, offering them hope and opportunities they might not otherwise have. By supporting this initiative, you are investing in the future of these communities, helping to break the cycle of poverty, and empowering our youth to achieve their full potential.
We are seeking funding of £6,708.00 to launch the program and a further £12,138.00 to help us continue the programme for 12 months.
Acheeva work stations, Eyegaze Systems and replacement school minibus for Wilson Stuart Special Educational Needs (SEN) School in Erdington
With the generous donations and grants we received in 2023/24, we were able to provide crucial equipment to Wilson Stuart Special Educational Needs (SEN) School in Erdington, Birmingham. The school's outstanding facilities and dedicated staff deliver specialised programs tailored to each pupil's needs.
On July 7th, two Trustees and I visited the school. We were profoundly moved by the passion and dedication of the staff, who expressed heartfelt gratitude for the equipment we provided. The impact of our visit was heightened when we saw students using the items we had donated. In one classroom, students performed "Let It Go" from Frozen, a touching moment that made it clear how much our support means to them.
During our tour, we learned that the school still requires more Acheeva Learning Stations, Eyegaze systems, specialised seating, sensory equipment, and a new school bus. The existing buses, due to limited wheelchair space, often require multiple trips. An additional bus would greatly improve the school's transportation needs.
We are seeking funding for the following items:
Acheeva Learning Stations (3)
Eyegaze Systems (2)
Specialised Seating (5)
Sensory Equipment
15-seater School Bus (1)
BUDGET
Item
Acheeva Learning Stations
Eyegaze Systems
Specialised Seating Solutions
Sensory Equipment
School Bus (15-seater)
Quantity
3
2
25
5 Items
1
Unit Cost (£)
£7,509.60
£7,568.63
£250.00
£7,000.00
£59,804.00
Total
Total (£)
£22,528.80
£15,136.00
£6,250.00
£7,000.00
£59,804.00
£110,718.80
Your support will:
Improve the learning environment for children with complex needs.
Increase the school's capacity to provide personalised care.
Foster independence and social interaction among students.
Improve transportation, ensuring children can travel safely and efficiently.
Via Air 10.9 Wi-Fi 64GB tablets
Several months ago, we received a request from a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist from the Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. She sought funding for several communication devices for children attending special schools in the Warrington area. Thanks to generous contributions, we were able to supply two devices, which have already shown immense benefits in enhancing the children's ability to communicate effectively and participate more fully in their education and social environments.
The Via Air 10.9 Wi-Fi 64GB tablets are ideal for running the TouchChat with Word Power App due to their user-friendly interface, portability, and robust performance.
By equipping the children with these tablets, we can provide them with:
Enhanced Communication: Personalised vocabulary and sentence structures that cater to each child's unique needs, fostering better understanding and expression.
Language Development: Tools that help expand vocabulary, improve syntax and grammar, and facilitate interactive learning experiences.
Therapeutic Support: Aids for speech therapists to deliver consistent and effective therapy sessions, boosting the children's progress and confidence.
We are seeking funding for three additional Via Air’s requested, and any contribution will directly impact the lives of these children, enabling them to overcome communication barriers and achieve their full potential.
The cost of one of these systems is £2,195.00.
To supply all three that are required will cost £6,585,00
Toby Richardson
We are dedicated to supporting Toby until he turns 18 in March 2028, (at which point our charity's constitution requires us to conclude our assistance.)
Toby’s transformation from a life-changing diagnosis to becoming one of the world’s top junior wheelchair racers is truly inspiring. His goal is to represent Team GB at the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
To maintain Toby’s progress toward his dream, we are seeking funding for his costs throughout 2025.
This will cover vital training, equipment, and participation in international events, essential for his growth as an elite athlete.
Toby’s journey is not only about physical preparation but also mental resilience.
The fundung will cover daily training, travel to specialised camps, international competition participation, and necessary equipment upgrades.
These things are crucial for Toby to remain competitive and to improve his global ranking, with international exposure offering him the best opportunities to develop.
Toby's Requirements:
Enhanced Training:
Professional coaching will refine Toby’s skills, improve performance, and expand his abilities in events like Javelin, Shot Put, and Discus.
Access to elite training camps in Switzerland, Belgium, and the UK will provide top-tier coaching and competition.
Competitive Edge:Regular international camps and competitions will expose Toby to world-class athletes, challenging him to improve and stay at the forefront of his sport.
Mental & Physical Preparation:
Specialized equipment and coaching will ensure Toby is mentally and physically ready for each race, reducing injury risks and optimizing performance.
Time Sensitivity:
2025 is critical in Toby’s development as an athlete. The skills he hones now will be pivotal for his Paralympic success, making timely funding essential.
Detailed 2025 Budget:
Everyday Costs:
Fuel: £5,200.00
For travel to training and local competitions.
Personal Trainer: £3,360.00
Tailored training regimens for Toby’s needs.
Coach Fees: £600.00
Ongoing coaching essential for his development.
Athletics Membership: £25.00
Required for competition access.
Gym Membership: £420.00
Access to strength and conditioning facilities.
Total: £9,605.00
Event Costs:
Event Entry Fees: £750.00
Registration for races during the April-September season.
Switzerland Camp: £3,500.00
High-altitude training with specialized coaching.
Marcell Camp: £1,000.00
Advanced training and competition in Europe.
Belgium Camp: £2,000.00
Training with international competitors.
Monthly Coach Training: £2,400.00
Elite monthly training in Telford.
London Mini Marathon: £300.00
Key race for maintaining competitive edge.
Total: £9,950.00
One-Off Kit Costs:
Rear Tyres: £1,000.00
Front Tyres: £300.00
Helmet: £50.00
Garmin Speed O: £350.00
Rollers Cadis Sensor: £50.00
Heart Rate Sensor & Strap: £80.00
Total: £1,830
The Total Amount Required to Support Toby Throughout 2025: £21,385
With £7,500 already secured, we seek additional support to keep Toby on his path to success.
Conclusion
Your support in 2025 will not only empower Toby to compete at the highest levels but also invest in the future of a young athlete who embodies resilience and determination.
Together, we can help Toby achieve his Paralympic dream, inspiring others along the way.
Thank you for reading this. Your generosity could make a lasting impact on Toby’s journey.
