Today, Gympanzees has launched a major Crowdfunder campaign to build the UK’s first and only fully inclusive exercise, play and social centre for disabled children and young people.
With over 1 million disabled children in the UK unable to access regular leisure facilities, Gympanzees is taking action to provide a space where every child, regardless of ability, can play, exercise, and thrive.
We’ve already raised over £5 million of our £8 million target and plan to open the centre in 12 months’ time. The newly launched Crowdfunder marks a critical next step in unlocking pledged funds and starting the next phase of construction.
“Too many families are left with nowhere to go,” says Stephanie Wheen, CEO and founder of Gympanzees. “Children are missing out on their first birthday party, their first time exercising, their first friendships—simply because there are no suitable facilities. This centre will change that.”
The Impact So Far
Gympanzees has already supported over 28,000 visitors through successful Pop-Ups during the Easter and Summer holidays. These temporary spaces have brought life-changing moments to families:
An 11-year-old getting out of breath for the first time
A 9-year-old rolling over for the first time
A 24-year-old leaving the house after four years
Isolated parents forming vital support networks
These stories are only the beginning. The new flagship centre will be a national hub and the blueprint for a future network of Gympanzees centres across the UK.
Double Your Donation
For the first 48 hours of the campaign, donations will be matched up to £47,000, meaning supporters can double their impact.
This is about more than just bricks and mortar. Every pound helps bring in life-changing equipment:
£200 could fund an iJoy – a dynamic fitness device for children with limited mobility
£1,000 could fund an Invictus treadmill – specially designed for wheelchair users
£7,000 could fund a swing package – offering sensory therapy that supports movement, calm, and regulation
How to Get Involved
Donate today: https://chuffed.org/project/gympanzees-the-clock-is-ticking
Download the fundraising pack: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1cj19ecBfpoMfIvX_m_abXeBd7KWNjos0
Join “Move for Gympanzees Month” in July
