Young boy in blue shirt in wheelchairCare

Enhanced Quality of Life for George

April 28, 2026By

Specialist equipment enhances mobility, health and quality of life for George

George Tappenden lives with spinal muscular atrophy and continues to inspire others through advocacy, fundraising and raising awareness of disability inclusion and accessibility.

We donated £11,000 to purchase a specialist Innowalk for George. This piece of equipment enables George to get into a standing position and move his legs. It helps him with many physical functions including bone density, lung capacity, circulation and overall wellbeing.

“This is the best news ever. We are beyond grateful to the Axis Foundation for supporting George once again and helping him access the equipment he needs to stay strong, healthy and active” – Lucy Frost, Co-founder of TreatSMA and George’s mother

Our support will benefit George directly and also enable a second child to benefit: George’s current equipment will be donated, extending the impact and supporting another family in need.

More about George

Based in Kent, George has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charities and received national recognition, including a National Diversity Award and a BAFTA for his advocacy work.

The Axis Foundation previously supported George with £3,000 towards his first mobility chair at the age of just two, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to improving his independence and quality of life.

You can read about our first donation here

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Care

Supporting Wellbeing and Dignity During Cancer Treatment

April 22, 2026By

A new wig for Siobhan supports her wellbeing and dignity during cancer treatment.

The Trustees of Axis Foundation awarded £2,200 to fund a real hair wig for Siobhan, a cancer patient who has been undergoing treatment since 2016. The grant will cover the full cost of the wig, removing a significant financial burden and ensuring Siobhan’s wellbeing and dignity during treatment.

Siobhan said:
“I just wanted to personally express how appreciative I am to you and your fellow trustees for raising the funds for my human hair wig. I lost my hair back in 2016 when I first started chemotherapy treatment, and it made me extremely depressed. When my cancer progressed to my brain, I knew further treatment could mean losing my hair again, and I even questioned whether to continue because quality of life is just as important as longevity.

“I have now completed over 170 rounds of chemotherapy, and the cold cap treatment has been painful and difficult. I started researching wigs, but the only ones that looked natural were human hair — and I simply couldn’t justify the cost. I didn’t want something that looked obvious; I just wanted to feel like myself again.

“Thanks to your support, this has become a reality. It has lifted a huge burden and I hope it will help me feel confident and like myself again.

“No words can truly express how much this means to me.”

More about Siobhan

Siobhan has faced an extraordinary journey, undergoing more than 170 rounds of chemotherapy, with her cancer now having spread to the brain. Despite this, she continues to support others — hosting coffee mornings for fellow cancer patients and fundraising for charities — while raising her two children.

Hair loss has been one of the most difficult aspects of her treatment. While NHS wigs were available, they did not provide the natural appearance she was seeking. A real hair wig offers a far more realistic solution, helping restore confidence at a time when treatment is both physically and emotionally demanding.

The Foundation’s support removes the remaining costs for Siobhan who is medically retired and living on limited income.

A Personal Recommendation

On hearing about Siobhan through a friend, Sally Hayes who is the wife of Foundation Founder John Hayes, recommended an application to the Axis Foundation. As always, the Trustees were delighted to help.

“It means a great deal to us to be able to support Siobhan in this way. She is a very remarkable woman. And we hope the wig brings her confidence and comfort. ” – Mick Hayes, Axis Foundation Trustee

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Disability

East Liverpool Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA

April 1, 2026By

New Hoist Opens Up Riding to Individuals with Complex Mobility Needs

At Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), horses benefit the lives of over 20,000 disabled children and adults.

The Axis Foundation has awarded £10,815 to East Liverpool Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) to fund a new rider hoist system.

“Thank you so much for this fantastic news. We are delighted to be able to extend our reach and support even more people in our community”  — Natalie Burns, Chair and Founder

Equine therapy improves physical health, confidence, emotional resilience, and social connection. The hoist also strengthens safeguarding and reduces manual handling risks for staff and volunteers.

And our investment will further unlock 10 additional hours of sessions per week, supporting up to 19 more participants weekly. It will remove barriers for individuals with complex mobility needs, enabling greater independence and participation.

More about East Liverpool Riding for the Disabled Association

East Liverpool Riding for the Disabled is an independent community run charity set up to provide equine assisted therapy and riding sessions for children and adults in Merseyside.

At Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), horses benefit the lives of over 20,000 disabled children and adults. With fun activities like riding and carriage driving, they provide therapy, fitness, skills development and opportunities for achievement – all supported by 13,000 volunteers and qualified coaches at over 400 RDA centres all over the UK.

There’s more about East Liverpool Riding for the Disabled Association here

 

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Community

Simply Limitless 

March 31, 2026By

Supporting vulnerable individuals facing isolation, homelessness or financial hardship

Simply Limitless tackles loneliness, isolation, poor physical health, poverty and low skills.

The Axis Foundation has awarded £10,000 to Simply Limitless towards a new heating and hot water system for its community centre in Kidderminster.

“This support helps us create a safe, welcoming space where our community can thrive” — Ralph Pars, Operations Manager

More about Simply Limitless

Simply Limitless delivers programmes supporting over 250 people weekly, including mental health support, employability training, and inclusive fitness sessions.

The new heating system is essential to make the new centre fully operational, enabling services to return under one roof and provide a warm, safe space for individuals facing isolation, homelessness, or financial hardship—particularly critical during winter months.

Learn more about Simply Limitless here

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Community

Open Hands Compassion Centre 

March 31, 2026By

New Van Powers Support for Vulnerable Families

Open Hands provides furniture, clothing, food, and household essentials to individuals and families in crisis in Leicester.

The Axis Foundation has awarded £8,995 to Open Hands to support the purchase of a replacement van for their furniture service.

“This funding will make a real difference, helping us continue to provide essential support to those who need it most” — Matt Tomlin, Furniture Service Manager

“Your donation made a big difference in not only helping us to purchase the van, but to being able to do so quickly” – Heather Berry, Communications and Marketing Coordinator

A new, reliable vehicle will increase delivery capacity, reduce maintenance costs, and ensure continuity of service. It will directly support around 400 individuals annually, with wider indirect benefits. The van is critical to collecting and delivering donated items across the city.

More about Open Hands

Open Hands seeks to meet the emergency practical needs of people in Leicester. We nurture dignity and hope grown through community care.

They aim to meet the practical needs of guests through the supply of emergency provision and service signposting.

With 9% of UK adults unable to afford basic furniture, demand continues to rise. The charity supported 380 individuals and 170 households in the past year through its furniture service alone.

Learn more here

 

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Disability

Enhancing Independence

March 31, 2026By

Specialist Mobility Chair Enhances Independence and Safety

Charlotte lives with congenital spinal stenosis linked to achondroplasia, requiring highly specialised seating and mobility support.

Charlotte’s current mobility chair, in use since 2007, was damaged in a road traffic accident and is no longer safe.
On hearing of her situation, the Trustees of the Axis Foundation awarded £4,235 to Charlotte to complete the purchase of a specialist Balder powerchair and extended warranty.
The new chair will enable Charlotte to travel safely, attend medical appointments, continue physiotherapy, and maintain independence in daily living.
Charlotte says: “Thank you very much for your contribution toward my new powerchair, I am extremely grateful for the generous grant. It wasn’t until I began using my new Balder that I realised how worn out my old one was.”
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Disability

Family Support through Specialist Equipment

March 31, 2026By

Specialist Equipment Provides Lifeline for Young Boy and his Family

Axis Site Supervisor Christian Florin Bagacian applied to the Axis Foundation through our Eyes and Ears initiative, on behalf of resident Gemma Wilson and her son Harvey Turrell in Sidcup.

While delivering works to adapt the family home, Christian identified urgent needs as Harvey receives end-of-life care.
The Axis Foundation awarded £1,750 to fund a specialist buggy, storage solutions, and custom footwear, alongside additional financial support for the family. These items will significantly improve daily care and mobility.
“Thank you so much for all your support on this good cause. Harvey’s mum received the news with such great happiness and gratitude for everything that we have done for them” — Christian Florin Bagacian

More about Harvey

Harvey lives with multiple severe conditions, including Cri du Chat syndrome, profound learning disability, microcephaly, hypotonia, and sight impairment. He currently lacks suitable footwear due to delays in clinical decisions, limiting his ability to practise walking and standing. The buggy will support safe mobility, while storage will help manage essential medical equipment.
The support will ease physical and emotional strain on Harvey’s mother, particularly during temporary relocation while home adaptations are completed. It also ensures Harvey can move safely and comfortably.
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Care

Newport First Responders

December 17, 2025By

Life-saving, community-based emergency support

Newport Community First Responders plays a vital role in safeguarding the health of people living in and around Newport in Shrophsire. Operated entirely by trained volunteers, the group responds directly to 999 calls passed through the West Midlands Ambulance Service Control Room.
The Axis Foundation has awarded them £10,000 towards a new Community Response car to replace the group’s ageing existing vehicle.
“That’s absolutely fantastic news thank you. Switching to a plug-in hybrid will reduce fuel costs significantly and create long-term environmental benefits. The new vehicle will secure the future of the First Responders’ Scheme for the next decade, ensuring volunteers can continue bridging the widening gap between the 999 call and ambulance arrival.
“With emergency services stretched and delays increasingly common, the new vehicle will strengthen support for some of the area’s most vulnerable people, including the elderly and those with complex health conditions who require frequent urgent care.
“It will ensure that lifesaving, community-based emergency support remains available whenever it is needed most” – Russell Brooks, Community Response Co-ordinator
More about Newport First Responders
Since its formation, Newport First Responders has treated more than 11,000 people across a catchment area of 50,000 residents. Their community-based model enables them to reach patients quickly, particularly in remote rural areas where ambulance response times can take an hour or more.
Responders attend the most critical emergencies, including cardiac arrests, strokes, paediatric cases, falls from height and severe road traffic collisions. Equipped with lifesaving tools such as a defibrillator and oxygen, they can assess patients, deliver urgent treatment and relay vital information back to both the Control Room and receiving hospitals so clinicians can prepare treatment plans without delay. In the past year alone, their intervention has helped save the lives of two people in cardiac arrest.
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disadvantaged

The Nest

December 16, 2025By

Sweeter sleep for families facing severe financial hardship

The Nest supports families with young children who are facing severe financial hardship. Their aim is simple: to ensure every child has the best possible start in life and that no baby sleeps without safe, suitable essentials.

The Axis Foundation has donated £3,000 to The Nest to purchase 30 cot mattresses, 35 cot-bed mattresses and 35 Moses basket mattresses.

“Wow, thank you so very much. We are so grateful for this incredibly generous support. As a small charity it is extremely hard to secure funding, and this donation will make a life-changing difference to the families we help. Thanks to the Axis Foundation, we can ensure babies across our community have a safe and healthy place to sleep including baby who is currently sleeping on a pillow which is less than ideal safety wise” – Victoria Blythe, CEO

The new mattresses will have a powerful impact on families across Bath and North East Somerset. They will give up to 100 babies and young children a safe, hygienic and supportive place to sleep—reducing the risk of SIDS, preventing exposure to mould or bedbugs, and improving posture and comfort. Better sleep will also benefit parents and siblings who are often sharing beds or sleeping on floors due to lack of resources.

For more information visit The Nest’s website

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Donations

Mayfield School

December 16, 2025By

Sensory stimulation for children with multiple learning difficulties

Mayfield School is a large Special Needs School in Torbay. Of their 180 pupils, many have Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD).

The Axis Foundation was delighted to approve an application for support with a donation of £11,091 to help the Friends of Mayfield School buy media projectors which support sensory stimulation and learning.

“We are grateful to the Axis Foundation for awarding a grant to Mayfield School. Your donation will be used to purchase a set of media projectors for the Immersive (sensory) room.

“The projectors will create a wrap-around effect when used alongside edge blending software and Showmagic software allows different themes and environments to be used (both software is included). Wrap around projections allow children to be ‘in’ the ocean when learning about the ocean, for example.

“Thanks to your support we are closer to launching a new and immersive sensory environment, harnessing the power of technology to support sensory stimulation and learning, especially for our children with profound and multiple learning difficulties” – Adam Tapp, Treasurer

The new sensory rooms will support up to 460 children over their lifetime, offering a calming, accessible space for pupils, families and community groups. They promote cognitive and language development, emotional regulation, reduced anxiety, social interaction and creativity. By providing a safe, soothing environment, the rooms help children build resilience, confidence and essential communication skills.

There’s more about Mayfield School here

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