The North East region has the highest levels of disability in the UK, and it is a fact that this is a direct cause and consequence of poverty. 

Scope’s Disability Price Tag 2025 report shows that disabled households need an extra £1,095 each month, to have the same standard of living as a non-disabled household. 

Family Fund's Cost of Caring 2025 report revealed that 44% of families shared that they experience income insufficiency, meaning they cannot meet day-to-day expenses despite receiving benefits. 

We're a small North East charity that funds specialist equipment for children aged 0 – 19 living with disabilities, additional needs and terminal illness in the region. This equipment is not available on the NHS yet it can make a significant difference to the day-to-day lives of kids with complex needs, and their families.

More often than not, this equipment has a much higher price tag than the ‘standard’ version. For example, an adapted cushion could cost over £1,000, compared to a typical beanbag that you can purchase for £20. 

All donations raised over the festive period will be used to fund our most recent round of applications, which totals almost £40,000. This means that you can make a direct difference to the life of a local child, and know exactly where your contribution has gone.

Much like the children we support, the equipment we fund is wonderfully diverse. You'll have seen in our 12 Days of Sunshine so far how we supported two children with a trike and an iPad, but here’s just some of the items that are on their our list:

 

• An Exopulse Suit (£5,190) – this is an innovative piece of equipment requested for a child with with a genetic disorder, cerebral palsy, and multiple other conditions that affect their muscle tone, coordination, and mobility, meaning they can’t stand or walk unaided.

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​This suit is an innovative, wearable way to manage the symptoms of spasticity, a debilitating condition that’s common in people affected by cerebral palsy. It uses a trusted treatment called neuromodulation to relieve spasticity and related pain almost anywhere users may be experiencing them, and this will dramatically improve the young person’s quality of life, as well as enhancing their mobility.​

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• A Cuddle Box (£352) – this is for a child with a range of complex sensory needs and injures himself when dysregulated. After trialling the Cuddle Box, which is a cushioned cube, at respite, the family saw how much it helped when he became overstimulated. It allowed him to calm himself down by jumping and rolling in it, as it provides a safe and secure place to release that energy. By having this at home it would protect him from hurting himself, and provides that control when he needs to regulate.

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• A Running Frame (£1,821) – this is for a child with multiple physical and educational needs, who has a love for speed and running. However, the only way he can enjoy this safely is with a running frame, which will be used in his rehabilitation following surgery, and beyond. Not only will this keep him active and improve his physical health, but it will have a positive impact on his mental wellbeing, too.

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• A number of Sensory Bundles (£77 - £1,485) – these have all been requested for children with autism and/or ADHD, and the higher priced bundles are for SEND schools. The price of sensory toys generally cost more than ‘standard’ toys, but they can make a significant difference to child a child to help them self-regulate.