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Our latest Impact Report

We’re very pleased to share our latest Impact Report, which illustrates the support we’ve been able to provide to children with additional needs and their families over the past 12 months.

We’re proud of everything that we’ve achieved over the past year, including: 

Support for 180 families every month across Leeds and West Yorkshire
341 hydrotherapy sessions
204 swimming lessons
174 stay and play sessions
40 dance sessions
10 family support sessions

…and much more!

Our report isn’t just about numbers, though. We also wanted to hear directly from the families we work with to find out how our services have helped them. Through our impact questionnaire, we were told that:  

Over 90% of families attending SNAPS have seen improved mental health for them and their children, improved feelings of isolation and improved feelings of happiness. 

83% of families saw improvements to their child’s physical health with 73% reporting improvements to their child’s pain.

100% of families who attend SNAPS with a sibling without additional needs saw an improvement to their feelings of happiness.

We couldn’t have achieved this without the hard work of our amazing team, our brilliant supporters and of course the amazing children and their families that we work with! 

To read the SNAPS Impact Report 2024 in full, click the button below. 

View the SNAPS 2024 Impact Report in full here
Mark Bramfitt

Mark Bramfitt raises over £3,000 for SNAPS! 

Our friend Mark Bramfitt has once again undertaken a fundraising challenge for SNAPS, this time raising over £3,000!

Mark raised the funds by completing a sponsored football themed distance challenge using the cycle, row and cross trainer machines at his gym. He completed over 435 km, the equivalent of travelling between Leeds, Manchester United and Liverpool football stadiums!

Both Mark and his wife, Ann, are passionate about supporting children’s charities. They chose to raise money for SNAPS as their grandson, Jack, faces challenges from acute epilepsy and cerebral palsy because of complications at birth. Jack and his family come to SNAPS sessions at Penny Fields school, where he enjoys hydrotherapy and rebound therapy.

Ann says: “It’s heartwarming to see how much Jack enjoys his sessions with SNAPS, and we’ve really witnessed him growing stronger and more confident along the way.”

 

This isn’t the first time that Mark has raised money for SNAPS, having raised over £4,500 for SNAPS previously through two challenges, including a step challenge. Mark says: “Every child deserves the very best that life has to offer. SNAPS is such a great setting for families to meet and provide mutual support. It’s so important for families with children with additional needs to know that they are not alone.” 

Mark is also the Development Manager and Coach for North East Leeds Juniors. He believes that football should be for everyone, regardless of their abilities, and he’s committed to never turning a child away. He says: “I’ve had kids with additional needs join our sessions, and it fills me with joy to see them progress. I truly believe in the power of sports to boost confidence, teach valuable life skills, and promote the importance of exercise and being outdoors.

“Before Jack came into our lives, we didn’t know much about children with complex and additional needs, but we’ve learned so much since. These kids are incredibly special and deserve every chance to live life to the fullest, no matter what extra support they might need.”

A huge thank you to Mark and Ann from all of us at SNAPS! You are an inspiration and your fundraising efforts are hugely appreciated. Every penny raised makes such a huge difference and helps us to keep doing what we do. 

Inspired by Mark? Find out more about fundraising for SNAPS here.

Howard Pickles

Howard Pickles

21st January 1961 – 15th June 2024

We were incredibly sad to hear that our good friend Howard Pickles passed away last month. 

Howard had been Treasurer on SNAPS’ Board of Trustees since 2017 helping us to ensure that SNAPS’ finances were in the best possible health.  His expert knowledge and advice were incredibly valuable to the management of SNAPS and helped ensure that the charity remained in a solid financial position.  As well as his financial acumen, Howard was a skilled photographer who gave his time willingly to beautifully capture the key moments at SNAPS’ events.  He was fantastic with SNAPS’ staff, volunteers and families, and his cheeky grin always managed to generate a true smile from his subjects.  I am sure everyone who came to SNAPS Superhero Challenge will remember him fondly.

Howard was generous with his time, expertise, and the care he showed to everyone who met him.  We send our love to Anne, James, Kate and all his family at this difficult time.  We will miss his knowledge, sense of humour and kindness greatly but his incredible support of SNAPS, in so many ways, will leave a lasting legacy that no one will forget. 

-Lucy Owen, Chief Executive, SNAPS 

Lora and Phoenix with CBeebies presenter George Webster

Phoenix visits the BBC

You might remember the brilliant Phoenix and his mum, Lora, featuring on BBC Radio 2 last year, where they talked all about SNAPS as part of BBC Children in Need.

Following the interview,  Phoenix was invited to Bolton Wanderers stadium to speak to Zoe Ball live on air, and meet Vernon Kay at the end of his Ultra Ultra marathon challenge for Children in Need. Vernon had completed an epic 115 mile journey, raising over £5 million.

Well, Phoenix was such a hit with the BBC team that he and Lora were recently invited to meet with Vernon Kay once again, this time as part of a special surprise event to celebrate Vernon’s incredible achievement. Phoenix and Lora went along to the BBC at MediaCityUK in Salford, where Phoenix was brought out as a special surprise guest for Vernon, who was so delighted that he offered to take Phoenix to a Bolton Wanderers game!

Phoenix and Lora were then given the opportunity to go behind the scenes, visiting a number of sets including Match of the Day and CBeebies, where they bumped into presenter George Webster! 

Well done Phoenix, you’re a natural media star and we’re sure this isn’t the last time you’ll be visiting the BBC studios!

You can read more about Phoenix and his family here. 

Phoenix & Lora with Ashley Jean-Baptiste
Walkers participating in the Leeds Great Walk

Leeds Great Walk: 12th July, 2025

Event details
  • Saturday, 12th July 2025
  • Lineham Farm, Swan Lane, Leeds, LS16 8AZ
  • Registration fee: £15 earlybird before 1st May, £20 afterwards
  • Minimum fundraising target: £100
  • Register for a place
Experience Leeds’ most picturesque outdoor areas 

With three choices of distance, The Great Leeds Walk will start and finish at Lineham Farm, taking you on a journey through urban spaces and the wonderful countryside of rural Leeds.

You can choose to walk with a marshall or stride off on a solo adventure along the well-marked out route. 

The minimum fundraising target for this event is £100 – this amount could fund two physiotherapy or hydrotherapy sessions. 

Choose your distance and join team SNAPS for an unforgettable adventure!
  • 10 Miles: Perfect for those looking for a manageable yet rewarding walk.
  • 17 Miles: A great middle-ground challenge to push your limits.
  • 26 Miles: The ultimate one-day endurance test for seasoned walkers.
 What’s included?
  • Comprehensive preparation: pre-event guidance and build-up treks to get you ready.
  • Guided walk: walk alongside experienced guides and the supportive Overlimits team.
  • Go solo: good with navigation? Use the route guide and reach checkpoints solo or with friends.
  • Safety briefing: detailed pre-event briefing to ensure you’re fully prepared.
  • Checkpoints: refresh at water checkpoints strategically located along each route.
  • Completion medal: celebrate your achievement with a commemorative finisher’s medal.
  • Support team: the Overlimits team is on-hand to provide encouragement and first aid if needed.
  • Return transportation: minibus back to the start for those completing 10 + 17-mile routes.

Please note, walkers must be aged 16 years or above on the day of the event.

Register here
Child Friendly Leeds Awards 2024

Child Friendly Leeds Awards Winners!

Members of the SNAPS team attended the Child Friendly Leeds Awards 2024 at the City Varieties Music Hall in Leeds yesterday.

It was a fantastic evening,  made even better when SNAPS was announced as winner of “Exceptional Contribution to the Child Friendly Leeds 12 Wishes!”

This award recognises the individuals, projects and organisations who have positively contributed to one of the Child Friendly Leeds 12 wishes, which were developed with children and young people across Leeds in 2022. The judges had received over 300 nominations, so we were thrilled just to be shortlisted!

Child Friendly Leeds is all about creating better outcomes for children and young people in Leeds, something that we truly believe in here at SNAPS. We’re absolutely delighted to have our work recognised in this way and would like to congratulate all of the winners of the 2024 awards.

Our Chief Executive, Lucy Owen, says: “It was amazing to hear about the organisations and individuals doing amazing things for young people across our city at the Child Friendly Leeds Awards.

“The Exceptional Contribution to the Child Friendly Leeds 12 Wishes Award is so important because it’s all about children’s voices being heard. This accolade is testament to our amazing staff and volunteer team, and of course our fabulous families, who make SNAPS the incredible place it is!”

You can find out more about Child Friendly Leeds here.

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Vote for SNAPS in the My Favourite Voucher Codes Charity Poll!

We’re delighted that SNAPS has been selected as one of the charities for the My Favourite Voucher Codes July charity poll.   

Every month, My Favourite Voucher Codes give four charities the chance to win a donation of 20% of their profits.

Throughout the month, the public gets to vote for the charity they want to see win, and the charity with the most votes at the end of July will win the donation.

We would be very grateful if you could spare 30 seconds to vote for SNAPS!

Here’s how to vote:

  • Click on the My Favourite Voucher Codes homepage
  • Scroll until you see the poll on the right hand side (bottom of the page on mobile phones)
  • Click the small circle next to SNAPS to cast your free vote
  • The poll runs from 1st to 31st

You do not need to use any vouchers to vote, and everyone gets one vote – so make sure to share with your friends and family.

Thank you for your continued support! 

Picture of an Athens stadium

Marathon in a month: July 2025

1st July – 31st July

Take on the challenge of a marathon during July! 

This challenge is based on the legend from which marathons gained their name. A messenger in Ancient Greece called Pheidippides, ran from the Battle of Marathon to Athens to announce the Greeks’ victory over the Persians.  

This July, SNAPS is inviting you to take on the challenge! Over the course of the month you can walk, run, swim or row a total of 26.2 miles. You will be able to log your activity on an app, either by manually adding each distance or linking to your smartphone/smartwatch.  

Register your interest by emailing our Fundraising team: fundraising@snapsyorkshire.org  

 

SNAPS Superhero Challenge

SNAPS Superhero Challenge: 29th June, 2025

An inclusive family fun day, giving children the opportunity to take part in a tailored fun run. Participants can walk, run or wheel around the track as far as they would like to. Everyone receives a medal and goodie bag for taking part in their own personal challenge. We want all our kids to feel like a superhero for the day!

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SNAPS Superhero Challenge returns for 2024

Our annual SNAPS Superhero Challenge is returning to Leeds this September! 

Taking place at the John Charles Centre for Sport on Sunday, 8th September, the Superhero Challenge gives children the chance to zoom around a 400m athletics track. Each child can decide on their own distance target. They may choose to go halfway round, the full way round or keep going many times. They can choose to either run or walk, and those requiring a wheelchair, walker or pushchair can wheel around the track too.

Each child will receive a superhero cape, a goody bag and a special medal to mark their achievement. There will also be a host of fun family activities including:

  • Giant bouncy castle
  • Face painting
  • Arts and crafts
  • Children’s entertainers
  • Real life superheroes
  • Gentle therapy animals
  • The chance to look around emergency services vehicles

…and much more!

We’re very grateful to our event sponsors Irwin Mitchell and Taylor Wimpey, and excited to welcome special guests including the Right Worshipful the Lord Mayor of Leeds and the Leeds Children’s Mayor.  

SNAPS’ services receive no government funding, and all funds raised from the Superhero Challenge will go towards our vital work.

Tim Wyatt, whose family has been supported by SNAPS since his daughter Florence suffered a very rare paediatric stroke just before her third birthday, says: “I cannot express enough how grateful my family and I are for the unwavering care and attention that SNAPS has provided to my daughter during her recovery from a stroke. The charity has truly been a lifeline for us during a very challenging time.

“Doing the Superhero Challenge is a real highlight of our family’s year and the perfect way to celebrate all the hard-fought rehabilitation victories in my daughter Florence’s journey. We’re counting down the days to this year’s event, ready to create more unforgettable moments of joy and triumph!”

Lisa Morton, Head of Fundraising at SNAPS, said: “We are so excited for this year’s Superhero Challenge. Last year’s event was attended by over 100 children and was jam-packed with entertainment, and we are going bigger and better this year! The Superhero Challenge offers a safe and inclusive way for ALL families to come together and have fun.

Tickets cost £5 per child (adults go free). Find out more about the Superhero Challenge 2024 here and book tickets here. 

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