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Project information
The Big Mobility Xmas Appeal
Disabled children and young people across the UK are stuck waiting for the mobility equipment that will free them to start really living their lives. This year my AFK are raising money to get one person a week the life-changing equipment that will give them maximum independence.
November 2018 - March 2019
Charity information: my AFK (formerly Action For Kids)

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Need
Need
1 in 17 children in the UK are disabled, and without the right support a disabled child can fall further and further behind their able-bodied peers. Disabled children are unable to get the mobility equipment that they really need, due to the high cost.
Children and young people sit on my AFK's waiting list, looking for equipment that would make a huge difference to their lives, recommended by their NHS physiotherapist – but unavailable on the NHS. They need their equipment fast.Solution
The Big Mobility Xmas Appeal will get a disabled young person every week off the waiting list, and out into their community. With the specialised equipment that they need to move their life along, they will have no more waiting around because of a disability.
This Christmas the Big Mobility Xmas Appeal gives each donor the chance to make sure that disabled children and young people spend the minimum time waiting, and the maximum time doing the things that matter most. -
Aims
Aim 1
To provide mobility equipment for disabled children and young people across the UK.
Activities
» Get disabled children and young people (aged 0-26) on my AFK's waiting list the equipment that they need, and get their lives moving again.
What success will look like
By providing the requested equipment for 52 children and young people on our waiting list by the end of the financial year.
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Impact
Impact
This project will provide disabled children and young people with the tools that they need to be more mobile, and to learn independence skills that will affect the rest of their lives. The health and developmental problems are already present, and when the equipment has been provided we will expect to receive feedback demonstrating the progress (or slowed deterioration in some cases) that the child has been able to make with the equipment.
Risk
Equipment cost is variable, and some pieces of equipment can cost over £20k, which could make the cost of the appeal very high as we are aiming at items rather than raising a cash total. We try to mitigate costs by asking families to seek multiple quotes for equipment, to ensure that we are finding a better cost (we also have ongoing relationships with many equipment suppliers to allow us bulk purchasing discounts).
Reporting
Donors receive regular updates by post or email on equipment that has been previously provided thanks to their generosity, as long as they have consented to further contact.
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Budget
Budget - Project Cost: £12,000
Loading graph....Amount Heading Description £500 A child's buggy A gives an older child with poor awareness the chance to go outside safely. £1,500 A child's trike A trike can give a disabled 3-year-old the opportunity to exercise independently outside £6,000 Power-assist for a wheelchair A wheelchair-user can get an extra push from power-assistance, to avoid over-using arm muscles. £4,000 The average cost How much it costs to buy the average piece of mobility equipment for a disabled child. -
Background
Location
This project will cover the whole of the UK. my AFK has been helping disabled children and young people to get moving across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales for 25 years, based in our office in Hornsey, north London. We means-test to ensure that we help individuals and families who cannot cover the cost of specialist (and often expensive) mobility equipment - and raising a disabled child can be three times as expensive as raising a non-disabled child.
Beneficiaries
Disabled children and young people, their families, and their communities will all benefit. When a person is able to realise their full potential then they have a better chance of being able to lead independent, happy lives as a an active part of the community.
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Why Us?
Why Us?
Our network of NHS physiotherapists and special schools ensure that we are well-known by those working with physical disability in the UK, and know who to turn to. Our national reach with communications and fundraising have successfully found children and young people the equipment that they need in the past, and where possible we will partner with other organisations to get equipment more quickly.
Read more about the Charity running this project.
People
Edward Horner
Edward helps kind donors find out more about the UK disabled children and young people who want to reach their potential.
Julia Paylor
Julia is the Mobility Manager, and ensures that my AFK gets the right equipment and support for disabled children as fast as possible.

A big, sincere thank you. The trike has been so beneficial for her. She has such a sense of pride and confidence. We have shared real quality family time cycling. Once again thank you from the bottom of our hearts.