Sunrise Foundation CIO

19/01/2026

It’s getting so close 🙃

Today’s often labelled Blue Monday, but for many families, tough days don’t stick to the calendar.

In her latest Gold Standard Inclusion article, our CEO Steph reflects on what she’s learned from listening to families, especially how often disappointment, exhaustion, and feeling unheard show up in everyday life when spaces aren’t designed to truly include.

That’s why everything we’re building at Gympanzees starts with listening, designing for complexity, and being honest about what works and what doesn’t. Not because every day will suddenly feel easy, but because feeling understood and supported really matters. This article takes a deep dive on some of the nuanced decisions we’re making to be truly inclusive.

If today feels heavy, you’re not alone. And if it doesn’t, that’s okay too 💜
We’re quietly working towards something that we hope will make things feel a little lighter for many families.

👉 Read Steph’s latest article on how we’ll go about welcoming people with 100+ disabilities: https://bit.ly/4bxpT5C

Image description: An adult and a child enjoying an activity at a Gympanzees facility, both smiling, with the child in mid-air supported by a swing. Text on the image reads: 'Under one roof. Designing spaces that work for everyone.'

02/01/2026

Happy new Year to all of our followers and readers …. Hoping it brings positive changes, compassion, acceptance, sensitivity and consideration in all communities.
We are happy to launch our revamped website.
It awaits more images but you may like to take a look 🙃

Sunrise Foundation CIO supports disadvantaged people by funding charities and individuals to deliver vital community services. Find out how to apply or donate.

24/09/2025

A special team in a special community 🙃

16/06/2025

https://emea01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchuffed.org%2Fproject%2Fgympanzees-the-clock-is-ticking&data=05%7C02%7C%7C09b670f6b14b4918968508ddaca7afdf%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638856558443822988%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Z5HuG9ShTYcMoC35PXhB%2FEGH3XD3cXx5BT2YcU5jvx8%3D&reserved=0

Picture this - A child misses their friend’s birthday party - not by choice, but because their disability makes it inaccessible. Picture having to explain that to them, again.

16/06/2025

It’s here! The Crowdfunder has launched! 🎉

We are proud to support this incredible campaign to build the UK’s first permanent exercise, play and social centre for disabled children, young people and their families.

Gympanzees have already raised an incredible amount of money, but this crowdfunder is critical to starting the build.

Every pound raised in the first 48 hours is doubled!

🙏 Please click the link, donate and share to help spread the word:

Click the arrow above to download

10/06/2025

https://bit.ly/4kuegOv

25/05/2025

What a much better world we could have if there were more of this

My son Andrew will never get married. He won’t have children. He won’t drive a car or experience many of the milestones we take for granted.

But he is happy. And he is healthy.
And to me, that’s everything.

When a stranger gives him a smile, it lights up my entire day.
When a girl glances at him kindly, joy rushes through his whole body like a wave of sunshine.

It doesn’t take much to be deeply, profoundly human.

Let me tell you a story.

At a party held at a school for children with special needs, one father stood up to speak.
What he said stayed with everyone who heard it.

After thanking the staff who worked with such devotion, he paused and shared a reflection:

“When nothing disturbs the balance of nature, the natural order reveals itself in perfect harmony.”

Then his voice began to tremble.

“But my son Herbert doesn’t learn like other children. He doesn’t understand like they do.
So tell me… where is the natural order in his life?”

The room fell completely silent.

Then he continued:

“I believe that when a child like Herbert is born—with a physical or cognitive disability—the world is given a rare and sacred opportunity:
To reveal the very core of the human spirit.
And that spirit is revealed not through perfection—but in how we treat those who need us most.”

He shared a moment he would never forget:

One afternoon, he and Herbert were walking past a field where some boys were playing soccer.
Herbert looked longingly at them and asked:

“Dad… do you think they’ll let me play?”

The father’s heart sank. He knew the answer was likely no.
But he also knew—if they said yes—it could give his son something far more valuable than a goal: a sense of belonging.

So he gently approached one of the boys and asked:

“Would it be okay if Herbert joined the game?”

The boy looked over at his teammates, hesitated, then smiled:

“We’re losing 3–0 and there’s ten minutes left… Sure. Let him take a penalty.”

Herbert lit up.
He ran to the bench, put on a jersey that nearly swallowed him whole, and beamed with pride. His father stood at the sidelines, tears in his eyes.

He didn’t play much. He just stood nearby, watching. But something in the boys shifted.
They began to see him—not as a distraction, but as one of them.

And then, in the final minute, a miracle happened.
Herbert’s team was awarded a penalty kick.

The same boy turned to the father and gave a knowing nod:

“It’s his shot.”

Herbert walked slowly to the ball, nervous but radiant.

The goalkeeper caught on. He made a show of diving to the side, giving the boy a clear shot.
Herbert nudged the ball gently forward.
It rolled across the goal line.

Goal.

The boys erupted in cheers. They hoisted Herbert into the air like he’d won the World Cup.
They didn’t just let him play.
They let him belong.

The father closed his speech with tears falling freely:

“That day, a group of boys made a decision… not to win, but to be human.
To show the world what kindness, dignity, and love really look like.”

Herbert passed away that winter.
He never saw another summer.
But he never forgot the day he was a hero.

And his father never forgot the night he came home, telling the story as his wife held Herbert close, weeping—not from sorrow, but from joy.

A final thought:

Every day, we scroll past distractions—memes, jokes, quick laughs.
But when something truly meaningful crosses our path, we hesitate.

We wonder: Who would understand this?
Who should I send this to?

If someone sent you this story, it’s because they believe you’re one of those people.
That you see the heart in others.
That you understand what really matters.

Because each day, the world gives us countless chances to choose decency over indifference.

As one wise man said:

“A society is judged by how it treats its most vulnerable.”

13/02/2025

⛔CONVOCATORIA ⛔
ACOMPAÑANTE EXPERTO EN LENGUAJE DE SEÑAS❗❗❗

🌈Si tienes habilidades y conocimiento en Lengua de Señas y quieres ser parte de esta hermosa misión, no dudes en contactarnos para mayor información sobre las condiciones.🙃💪
andrea.fernandez@yanapasun.org
CEL : +51 926062951

22/01/2025

So excited by all that is happening in Aust - Sunrise has been there on this amazing journey and we will continue by their side.
An amazing team working on a unique and remarkable project - what a privilege to share the joy….. some of the Sunrise trustees looking forward to a visit to the site today 😊

19/01/2025

Ready for a New Challenge in 2025? Make a splash for Gympanzees!

The Gympanzees Dragon Boat Race perfectly combines adventure, teamwork, and fundraising towards our permanent centre.

Whether you’re a paddling pro or trying it for the first time, this is a great opportunity to push yourself and support us in moving closer to creating a permanent facility for the disabled children and young people we support.

Sign up for the Dragon Boat Challenge on 21st of September, with your team of 10, plus one drummer, by contacting jen@gympanzees.org or find out more here - https://bit.ly/4cPSIY9

Image Description: A group of people in life jackets celebrating joyfully with raised paddles at a dragon boat racing event, with the logo of Gympanzees displayed in the corner.

20/12/2024

04/12/2024