Gympanzees isn’t just an idea anymore. It’s being built.
And behind it is a group of people quietly, but powerfully, helping to make it happen.
Our Fundraising Committee brings together experience, networks and determination, all focused on one thing, getting the Gympanzees centre open for disabled children and young people and their families.
This isn’t about supporting from the sidelines. It’s about actively driving the final stretch.
We asked a few of them to share what brought them here, and why this matters so much.
Maggie Glastonbury
Maggie has spent the last decade establishing and running three charitable organisations. Alongside that, she enjoys travelling and making the most of Bristol’s arts, social and sporting life with her family.
She was introduced to Steph early on, when Gympanzees was still just an idea.
“It seemed like an effective way of helping Gympanzees find their forever home.”
For Maggie, the need for the centre is simple and non-negotiable.
“No one should be excluded from leisure, exercise, fun and social opportunities.”
Her first visit to a Pop Up made the potential clear.
“The immense potential struck me straight away.”
And now, she’s looking ahead to the moment it becomes reality.
“Lots of smiling, excited, happy faces.”
Mark Mason
Mark, who chairs the Capital Campaign Committee, spent his career running businesses before retiring. Outside of Gympanzees, he enjoys hot air ballooning, hiking and travelling.
He first connected with Gympanzees at a charity ball in 2020 and quickly saw how he could help.
“I have a ‘black book’ of contacts around Bristol and wanted to introduce them to the great work Gympanzees does.”
For Mark, the gap Gympanzees is filling is stark.
“Nowhere else like it exists, and that is tragic.”
Meeting families has been one of the most powerful parts of his journey so far.
“Seeing the joy Gympanzees gives children and their parents really stays with you.”
And like the rest of the committee, he’s focused on what happens when the doors open.
“I’m excited to see how children and their parents react to such an amazing place.”
Mimi Avery
Mimi is a fifth-generation wine merchant, now specialising in speaking and presenting at wine events. Born and bred in Somerset, she has spent decades in the trade, including the last 26 years in Bristol.
She first came across Gympanzees at one of the early fundraising events under Concorde.
“It was a fantastic event and the charity really got under my skin.”
After years supporting other charities, Mimi made the decision to focus her time and energy on Gympanzees.
What confirmed that decision was seeing the impact firsthand.
“I bumped into a friend and her son at one of the pop-ups. Seeing how much it helped both the child and the parent, alongside everyone else enjoying the facilities, I realised this needed to happen, and needed our help.”
Now, she’s focused on what comes next.
“I look forward to it being full of laughing, smiling children of all abilities, and being so popular we need even more centres.”
What’s happening behind the scenes
What stands out about this group isn’t just their experience, it’s what they’re doing with it.
They’re opening doors, making introductions, bringing in support and helping push this centre from plans into something real.
Because this doesn’t happen on its own. And it doesn’t happen without people choosing to get behind it and make it move.
We’re incredibly grateful to our Fundraising Committee members, Mark Mason, Pete Lockett, Maggie Glastonbury, Jon Bonnick, Paul Davis, Alison Cooper, Natasha McKenzie, Tony Lock and Mimi Avery, for everything they bring to Gympanzees and for helping drive this forward when it matters most.
Be part of the final push
We’re now in the final stretch of making this centre a reality.
Our Supporter Sprint is all about getting us over the finish line, with individuals, families and businesses all playing their part.
Whether that’s fundraising, donating, partnering with us or spreading the word, every action moves us closer.
