white van centre with three people and balloons plus large signCare

MammaKind

June 16, 2026By

New van delivers essential items to families

MammaKind is a baby bank dedicated to preventing and relieving poverty for families with children under six.

Our grant of £5,000 helps MammaKind buy a dedicated delivery van for their “Bundles of Joy” project. The investment will enable the charity to deliver essential items directly to families in need, benefiting around 3,000 people in the first year, reducing financial pressure, improving wellbeing and giving children the best start in life.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Axis Foundation for this generous support. Having our own van will transform how we deliver our Bundles of Joy, allowing us to reach families faster and more efficiently.

“It means we can focus our resources where they are needed most — supporting children and parents through incredibly challenging circumstances. This donation will make a lasting difference to the families we serve” – Kirsty Lowe, Founder

More about MammaKind

Based in Lewisham, London, MammaKind is a baby bank dedicated to preventing and relieving poverty for families with children under six. Through its core “Bundles of Joy” service, the charity provides tailored packages of essential items — including nappies, clothing, toys, books and larger equipment such as prams and cots — working in partnership with over 40 frontline organisations including social workers, midwives and children’s centres.

With child poverty reaching up to 37% in the boroughs it serves, MammaKind’s work delivers measurable impact, with the majority of families reporting improved wellbeing, reduced financial stress and greater engagement with support services. The charity plays a vital role in improving health, development and long-term life chances.

There’s more here

 

READ MORE
wooden platform by riverDonations

Holm Place Anglers

June 16, 2026By

Providing outdoor activity and inclusive community engagement through fishing

Holm Place Anglers provides free fishing experiences to children and adults, supporting wellbeing, confidence and access to nature through inclusive, community-led activities.

The Axis Foundation contributed £790 to fund seating equipment, aerator pumps, volunteer DBS, scaffold boards, and wood to repair broken seats. This will support around 300 1-hour fishing sessions in 2026, improving access to structured outdoor learning, promoting wellbeing and ensuring a safe, inclusive environment for all participants.
“Thank you to all at Axis for the very kind donation to our fishing club. This funding will help make a real difference to the children and families we will now be able to support and provide these valuable experiences” – Neil Ballard, Chairman

More about Holm Place Anglers

Located in Swale, Kent, Holm Place Anglers is a volunteer-led initiative that has been delivering inclusive fishing opportunities since 1977. The organisation works closely with local schools, including SEN provision, and continues to provide free fishing that supports mental health, learning and community engagement for all.
READ MORE
Disability

Weir Archer Academy Athletics Club

April 29, 2026By

Boosting inclusion, health and confidence through athletics opportunities

Weir Archer Academy Athletics Club provides inclusive athletics opportunities for disabled people, supporting physical health, confidence, social connection and competitive development.

The Axis Foundation donated £2,418 to purchase sprint timing gates and weighted training sleds, enabling athletes and coaches to accurately measure performance and enhance training programmes. Over 40 athletes, club members and supporters will benefit, improving engagement, motivation and performance while introducing new technology that supports both grassroots participation and elite progression.
“A huge thank you from everyone at Weir Archer for this amazing support. The athletes and coaches are thrilled, and this equipment will make a lasting difference to training, performance and enjoyment across the club” – Elissa Metzgen, Fundraising Team

More about Weir Archer Academy Athletics Club

Based in Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey, the club supports disabled athletes of all abilities, from beginners and race enthusiasts to those competing at national and international level, including Paralympians and Commonwealth Games athletes. It provides a welcoming, community-focused environment that benefits athletes and their families while promoting long-term participation in sport.
More here
READ MORE
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

READ MORE
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

READ MORE
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

 

READ MORE
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

READ MORE
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

 

READ MORE
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.”
READ MORE
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.
READ MORE