Crowdfunder launched for UK’s first fully accessible play and exercise centre for disabled children

A Bristol-based charity has launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for the UK’s first fully accessible exercise, play and social centre for disabled children and young people.

The Gympanzees Centre will host 200,000 visits from disabled children, young people and their families every year.

The centre will be open 364 days, seven days a week and will provide opportunities for health, happiness and support.

The charity has already fundraised to secure a building and now needs to raise £8 million to make the necessary renovations to open a purpose-built facility by June 2026.

The centre will cater for people (0-25yrs) with sensory, physical, learning difficulties, SEN and any mild to profound disability.

The facility, designed by the children and families who will use it, will be the first of its kind in the UK and bring everything under one roof for children and young people with disabilities and their families.

Gympanzees founder and CEO, Stephanie Wheen, said: “Today we launch a crowdfunder. I can’t stress the importance of this enough.

“We have already raised an incredible amount of money, but this crowdfunder is critical to unlocking our pledges and starting the build.

“And the build is the last step to be able to make the magic, the joy, the health impacts, the friendships, the sense of belonging happen – not just over the holidays – as we had at the Pop Ups, but all year round, for ever and ever!”

Every donation up to £55.5k will be matched for the first 48 hours of the crowdfunding campaign.

Gympanzees is also encouraging people to fundraise during ‘Move for Gympanzees Month’ in July.

Find out more about the campaign and donate here.