Always on
This project successfully funded on 15th May 2026, you can still support them with a donation.
Running The London Marathon for Gympanzees
Bristol, United Kingdom
Aim
Gympanzees is opening the UK’s first fully inclusive fitness, exercise and leisure centre later this year.
The problem in numbers
77% of disabled children in the UK can’t access regular leisure facilities.
92% of parents feel that their child with complex needs did not have the same opportunities to play as their non-disabled peers (SENSE – A case for Play 2016).
72% of parents with a disabled child suffer mental health issues as a result of isolation.
65% of families with disabled children report feeling isolated frequently or all of the time.
Disabled children are twice as likely to be lonely compared to their non-disabled peers (72% vs 36%). They are more likely to feel they have no one to talk to, feel left out, and to feel alone.
The Health Dilemma
Disabled children are ½ as likely to be active than their non-disabled peers.
Children with disabilities are double as likely to be obese than non-disabled children.
Inactivity leads to;
- Reduced life expectancy from conditions such as stroke and diabetes
- Heart and lung disease
- Obesity
- Sleep problems
- Certain cancers
- Osteoarthritis etc
Children with ADHD and Autism often have specific exercise needs. If they are not able to access the appropriate activities, they will struggle with concentration and with coping with their daily lives.
Children with physical disabilities generally start experiencing pain and a reduction in their function and ability to be independent in their early 20’s due to the strain on their muscles and joints which could be alleviated through appropriate strengthening.
Appropriate input, as advised by a physiotherapist, can help to reduce this chronic pain and improve physical independence and input from an Occupational Therapist can provide appropriate movement to enable children with ADHD and Autism to function better. With the strain on the NHS, services are reducing and parents are often left without the support or input they need. While some families can turn to private therapists, most cannot and the opportunity for the required exercise in the community is slim, if available at all.
Young People
In 2021, Gympanzees carried out research on supporting young people with disabilities (aged 11-25).
Our research showed 61% of parents and carers struggle to find age-appropriate equipment for their young adults to use and expressed how inaccessible most local venues and activities are.
Our Solution - The Gympanzees Centre
Gympanzees mission from the start has been to find a permanent home, an exercise, play and social facility that will have everything under one roof for our families.
Opening late 2026, the Gympanzees centre is in Aust near Bristol will be the UK’s first fully accessible exercise, play and leisure centre. We’ll be open 364 days a year, 7 days a week for disabled children, young people, and their families to access one of five session types to meet the needs of all disabled and neurodivergent people.
Be part of making the first centre a reality.
The first Gympanzees Centre is located just outside Bristol, and will host 200,000 visits from disabled children, young people and their families every year.
We’re at an incredibly exciting moment, we’ve already raised nearly £8m, the centre is taking shape, and we’re now in the final push to get those doors open.
Mortgage Advice Bureau Foundation has provided £5,000 of match funding
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made