Ayla is a young fundraiser with a huge heart. This courageous 13-year-old, began creating and selling spin art pictures at the age of nine to raise money for the play teams at Bristol Children’s Hospital. These play teams are invaluable, providing children with fun activities to do during their stay in hospital and offer much-needed support during challenging moments.

In 2021, while recovering from treatment for a malignant brain tumour, Ayla participated in the Young Enterprise Fiver Challenge, she was tasked with creating a business with just £5. She launched Ayla's Arts and was lucky enough to win the YE 9-11 Inspiring Individual award. Ayla decided to donate her profits to the Wallace and Gromit Grand Appeal for the Ocean and Starlight wards, she has since expanded to include all play teams to benefit from the money raised.

Over the past four years, Ayla has worked tirelessly to support the hospital, even involving patients in the picture-making process. They are also able to create a spin art picture with materials provided by Ayla, and have the choice to keep or donate their creations to Ayla’s Arts, which are then sold in The Grand Appeal shop across the road. The popular Ayla's Arts trolley visits nine wards each week, spreading joy and creativity.

Despite facing her own health challenges – including further brain surgery in February 2023, Ayla remains determined to fundraise.

In 2023 Ayla was nominated by The Grand Appeal for the BBC Make a Difference Fundraiser award and was shortlisted down to the final four in her category. She attended the award ceremony in September (alongside the other amazing and inspirational fundraisers) and won!

She was also privileged in 2024 to receive a letter from Kensington Palace congratulating her on her fundraising efforts to date.

Now, Ayla is launching her most ambitious project yet: "Pocket Pictures on Big Adventures." She envisions providing children in the hospital with the opportunity to create spin art pocket pictures with the hope that their picture can go on a big adventure! Children will complete a form detailing their dream location/hero for their artwork, this will be linked to Ayla's Arts website and Instagram page, with the hope that Ayla and her supporters can make those dreams a reality. She is planning on delivering ten new and fully established Ayla’s Arts trolleys to Bristol Children's Hospital later this year.

Ayla’s personal artwork has already travelled far – reaching Italy, New York, Australia, Hawaii, Silverstone, Manchester City FC and many other destinations.

Bristol Children’s Hospital plays a crucial role in providing care for children across the Southwest of the UK, so supporting Ayla’s Arts means directly helping the lives of countless young patients.

Thank you for your support and hope you enjoy your pocket picture!