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Add some sparkle to your outfit on Friday 5th Dec, and brighten up the life of a local disabled child over Winter
This year, we're replacing Christmas Jumper Day with our very own Festive Friday!
We want to make the day more accessible for all budgets and lifestyles so we're inviting you to add some cheer to your everyday gear and help us spread some joy across the region.
This could be as simple as putting on some festive headwear to a full blown Elf costume - and anything in between!
We've included some ideas below but let your imagination run wild! You could wear...
🎅🏻 A Santa hat
🔔 Jingly earrings
🧦 A pair of Fair Isle socks
🦌 Reindeer antlers
🐧 A penguin brooch
👔 A snowman tie
🎄 Get creative with some tinsel
🧤 Glittery gloves
🧶 Keep it traditional with a classic Christmas Jumper
How it works...
🎄 Pick out your festive item of choice and wear it to work, school, nursery, around town or in the house on Friday 5th December
❄️ Get your colleagues, school or nursery involve, or gather friends and family!
📸 Send us a photo or tag us on socials @sunshinefund
💸 Most importantly, donate £2! You will receive a link to our Big Give fundraising page where all donations will be doubled between
Taking part as a team? Get in touch to discuss how you can double your donations and make twice the impact.
Why support The Sunshine Fund this year?
As a small, local charity that receives zero statutory funding, we rely solely on donations and the generosity of our supporters to continue our hard work. We fund life-changing equipment to local children, schools and communities in the North East to improve their day-to-day lives.
The North East has one of the highest levels of disability in the country, and we're seeing the growing demand for equipment in our region. A lot of the equipment we fund is unavailable through the NHS and Local Authority, and the cost of specialist items is often much higher than people realise. The ongoing impact of the cost-of-living crisis is affecting more and more families, and according to Scope's Disability Price Tag 2025, disabled households already need an extra £1,095 per month, which means there is a huge need for our services.
By supporting The Sunshine Fund, you know that your hard-earned money is staying within the region, and you're making a direct difference on improving the day-to-day life of a local child. You'll be contributing to something truly special; you'll be helping to break barriers, inspire new opportunities, create special memories with friends and family, build confidence, and help our kids reach their full potential..
Here's the sort of items that you'd be helping to fund:
💛 A specialist trike (£1,000 - £2,000) for a child who can’t ride a standard bike, so they can race their siblings, play with their friends and improve motor skills.
💛 Wheelchair and buggy accessories that cost £100s per item; these don't come as standard when funded by the NHS, yet provide basic comfort and protection, especially during the autumn/winter months when the weather is cold and wet. For example, rain covers, CosyToes, thermal covers, baskets and trays - these are all essential items that add up.
💛 Living aids such as a mobile hoist (£1,735) to help a teenager gain independence when travelling around in their wheelchair, or a specialist cushion (£1,275) for a toddler with limited mobility, so they can sit and relax with their family.
💛 Indoor and outdoor sensory & play equipment - such as a playframe (£500) or trampoline (£400) for a child who struggles with public spaces and gets overwhelmed at a park, yet still needs a space to release energy and have fun, or a sensory bundle (£50 - £200) containing items that help a young person self-regulate.
💛 IT & Communication equipment - such as an iPad (£550) to help children of varying needs with communication, cognitive skills, self-regulation and learning at home. It could be a CCTV (£3,000) to help a young person with a visual impairment study, complete homework and learn away from school, as well as being able to enjoy their hobbies independently without the need for scribing, or an Eye Gaze System (£5,103) to enable a child with Cerebral Palsy to communicate with parents/carers and make their own choices.
These are just some of many items we fund. Watch our video below to see just how far a piece of equipment can go:
