Story

Swings & Smiles is an amazing charity based in West Berkshire whose aim is to build and operate a fantastic comprehensive soft play and recreational centre for families who have a child or children with special needs. We believe that everyone has the right to play, and that families that play together grow together. There are very few, if any, facilities that cater for families allowing siblings to play alongside their brothers or sisters with special needs, where parents can sit enjoying coffee with other families facing similar challenges. At the moment, the nearest facility where families can play together within a total secure environment is based at least 40 minutes away from Newbury. Can you imagine a 40 minute drive each way every time you wanted to take the children to a soft play area?  The initial build costs are likely to be in the region of £400k. The charity has already raised 75% of that figure. Please help us to raise as much as possible in support of Swings & Smiles. The money is only the first challenge, the next will be to find suitable land and gain the support of the local council to allow us to build a single storey building that will be surrounded by trees to ensure that it is not a blot on the landscape. But there is more passion and determination to succeed than you can imagine. For more information, please surf the Swings&Smiles website or please feel free to give me (Luisa) a call and I'll happily put you on to the right people.  Luisa's story..... I became aware of the charity many years ago when I stayed at the Donnington Vallley Hotel just outside Newbury. A little leaflet was placed in every bedroom and I vowed that I would get in contact and offer my time on a voluntary basis. I made that call in September 2010 and I'm so glad I did.  At the beginning of the year, I met with the S&S team for a catch up and before I knew it, I'd signed up to run the Reading Half Marathon. The girl who used to find excuses to get out of every PE lesson and didn't know what the inside of a gym looked like until 2008 agreed to run over 13 miles. I have the most amazing friends and when I asked them if they would run with me….6 people said yes almost without thinking about it. I can't thank people enough for their encouragement and support over the last couple of months of training. Cross your fingers that everything goes according to plan and we'll hopefully be smiling from ear to ear when we pass through the finish line! If you're in a position to be able to donate, we'd be so grateful. Please don't worry if you can't, we know that times are tough. With love Lu xx Laura’s story……. When I was a lot younger my mum took her involvement with the PPA to a very personal level, she always seemed to be ‘adopting’ families who’s needs didn’t fit into the pattern of what I then saw as normal families…….. It’s only now as an adult, and with a cousin with a son with profound physical and learning disabilities, that my understanding of my mum’s actions have grown. I see Swings and Smiles as an official version of my mum! They are providing a much needed place for families to get together as a family, to grow together, to express themselves as individuals within the family group, to meet other families with common ground, and to just hang-out.  I’ve never run a half-marathon before (I may never run one again!), but I’m really pleased to have the opportunity to run it for Swings and Smiles.<a></a> Vikki's Story……. I said I'd never do the moonwalk, and somehow Luisa got me to.  I always maintained 10K was far enough to run, and once again Luisa has managed to get me to sign up to run twice that!  While I can run 10K easily, the half marathon will be a big challenge for me, as I don't just want to finish - I want a reasonable time as well!  We're very lucky to have two very heathy and active girls, and are extremely aware of the increased demands that are put on family life if someone has special needs.  It is because of this that I want to raise as much as possible to give families the opportunity to play and enjoy each other in a fun and safe environment.  I still maintain 10K is far enough - so please help and show your support if you can! Thanks for taking the time to visit our JustGiving page. Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - we raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity. So please, if you are able, dig deep and donate now. xx

Vikki, Laura, Paul and Luisa's page

Vikki, Laura, Paul and Luisa's page

Story

Donation summary