One donation, twice the impact
Donations to The Children’s Trust will be doubled from 12pm on Tuesday 3 December to 12pm on Tuesday 10 December 2024 via The Big Give Christmas Challenge.
Help us raise £50,000 in one week, which will be matched by generous supporters to become £100,000 to fund our vital transport fleet.
Life can change in an instant
Every year over 40,000 children in the UK are left with a brain injury after a serious accident or injury. After a brain injury, children may have spent months in hospital and it can feel as if their world has shrunk. New physical needs and medical equipment mean they are often unable to travel by car or public transport. Missing out on their favourite activities, days out and seeing their friends and family can lead to a child’s sense of isolation and challenge their mental health. Our adapted vehicles and volunteer drivers can help a child and their family on their rehabilitation journey after a brain injury.
Please donate today to keep the fleet on the road.
Reuben's story
Support children like Reuben, who came to The Children’s Trust for rehabilitation after having a stroke at the age of two.
Reuben was a bouncy, chatty little boy, having a bath before bedtime when his mum, Holly, noticed something was wrong.
He was rushed to A&E, where his dad, Liam, realised that Reuben didn’t recognise him and asked for a CT scan. Reuben had had a significant stroke. He stopped talking. He stopped crying. He was unable to move
his right side at all.
Three months later, Reuben arrived at The Children’s Trust for specialist rehabilitation. He was given a weekly timetable of intensive therapy, including physiotherapy to help him walk independently, and speech and language therapy to help him communicate.
The team motivated Reuben by incorporating activities he enjoyed into his therapy, particularly his love of football!
An important part of his placement was the opportunity to enjoy a family day out. A trip to the farm involved practising his therapy in a fun way; stroking animals with his weaker arm, calling out names of animals, squatting to see the bugs.
These trips out are only possible with the use of our specially adapted vehicles.
Connecting with the world again
Our transport fleet is a vital part of a child’s life, helping them to be part of the community again, have fun and reach their potential. Your donation will mean our specialist vehicles remain safe and comfortable when travelling, enabling them to enjoy their precious childhoods and to make memories.
Days out together
We have 12 vehicles, ranging from wheelchair accessible minibuses to loan cars for family members. This year, we made 1,450 trips out possible for children and young people and their families. Our fleet has driven 78,355 miles, including 271 hospital visits. These vehicles offer relief from isolation and provide access to the world again, whether that be through days out or simply the act of travel itself and provide a sense of adventure. The support and care we offer towards family members is tremendously important for the family and is an aid to the children’s rehabilitation. To keep this fleet on the road, we must fund insurance, maintenance, staff costs and taxes.
