SNAPS Yorkshire CIO

SNAPS Superhero Challenge 2027

Miriam Watson-Pratt — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 11:00:10 +0000

The SNAPS Superhero Challenge is an inclusive family fun run, giving children the opportunity to feel like a superhero for the day!

Participants can walk, run or wheel around the track as far as they would like to. Everyone receives a medal and goodie bag for taking part in their own personal challenge.

Watch this space for further details of our 2027 Superhero Challenge.

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Leeds 10K: 13th June, 2027

Sarah Tulley — Sat, 13 Jun 2026 13:42:12 +0000

Event details

Sunday, 13th June 2027
9:00am
The Parkinson Building, Leeds City Centre
Registration fee: £15 (or £10 per person for groups of 4+)
Minimum fundraising pledge: £100
15 years or over on event day
Register here

The Leeds 10K is one of the city’s most iconic events – inclusive, vibrant, and supported by thousands of cheering spectators. Whether you’re aiming for your first 10K or chasing a new PB, this is the perfect opportunity to run for a cause that truly matters.

By running for SNAPS, every step you take helps fund vital therapies for children with additional needs. SNAPS receives no government funding to deliver its services, so your support makes a real difference to around 100 families each week.

What’s Included:

Official chip timing
SNAPS running shirt
Dedicated fundraising support
Finisher’s goody bag
Exclusive medal
A fantastic experience!

Run as a Team

Want to make it a team challenge? The first person to register can create a team, and others can join when they sign up. Perfect for friends, family, or colleagues!

Ready to take on the challenge? Register for your place below!

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Our Superheroes hit the headlines

Sarah Tulley — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 10:45:21 +0000

This year’s SNAPS Superhero Challenge has been featured in local media, helping to shine a light on the incredible children and families who make the event so special.

We were delighted to see coverage from the Yorkshire Evening Post, with the story featured both online and in print, including a front-page mention. The online article also includes a short video capturing the energy and atmosphere of the day, and was shared across the publication’s social media channels.

You can read the article here:
15 brilliant pictures as Leeds families don their capes for annual superhero challenge

Ahead of the event, the Superhero Challenge was also featured on BBC Radio Leeds’ Breakfast Show. SNAPS mum Mel shared her family’s experience, alongside our Head of Fundraising, Lisa.

Media coverage like this helps us connect with more families, while celebrating everything that makes the Superhero Challenge so special.

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The SNAPS Superhero Challenge returns!

Sarah Tulley — Thu, 14 May 2026 13:19:04 +0000

It’s time to don your capes and join us for the return of our much-loved SNAPS Superhero Challenge!

Taking place on Sunday, 31st May 2026, from 10.30am to 12.30pm at the John Charles Centre for Sport in Leeds, our Superhero Challenge is an inclusive, fun run-style event open to children of all ages and abilities.

Every child takes on their own challenge around the 400m athletics track in a way that works for them, whether that’s walking, running or wheeling. And of course, every superhero is cheered across the finish line and rewarded with a medal and goodie bag.

It’s not just about the challenge itself. Families can enjoy a full morning of activities, including superhero meet and greets, bouncy castles, inclusive sports, craft and sensory activities, games, face painting and even visits from the emergency services.

For many of our families, the Superhero Challenge is a highlight of the year. Mel and her four-year-old son Jakob will be joining us again this time.

Jakob, who is autistic and has multiple complex medical needs, has been part of SNAPS for around two years. For Mel, finding SNAPS made a huge difference.

“Before SNAPS, Saturdays were always hard,” she says. “There was nowhere we could go that could meet Jakob’s needs. Now he has a safe, supportive place where he can just be himself.”

Through SNAPS, Jakob has taken part in hydrotherapy, rebound therapy and Stay and Play sessions, helping not just him, but the whole family.

“I can actually sit down, relax and drink a cup of tea without worrying if he’s safe or being judged,” Mel shares. “Making friends with other parents who understand what daily life is like makes a huge difference.”

Last year’s Superhero Challenge was a particularly special moment.

“Seeing him running around the track and being cheered on was really special,” she says. “It’s such a fun, welcoming day where children are celebrated for who they are.”

Mel is also fundraising this year so more families can access the same support.

“Having a community and somewhere safe to go matters,” she says. “Events like this help make sure that support is there for families who need it.”

At SNAPS, we support children with additional needs and their families through therapies, leisure activities and a supportive community. SNAPS doesn’t receive statutory funding to deliver its services, so events like the Superhero Challenge play a vital role in helping us keep our services running.

We’re incredibly grateful to our event sponsors Irwin Mitchell, Manning Stainton, Enfinium and Taylor Wimpey Yorkshire for their support.

SNAPS’ Head of Fundraising, Lisa Morton, says: “The Superhero Challenge is designed so every child can take part in a way that feels right for them. It’s a positive, inclusive day that brings families together while helping to raise vital funds, so we can continue to be there for children like Jakob and their families.”

You can take part for free by committing to a minimum fundraising target of £55, which could fund a SNAPS physiotherapy session. Or if you prefer not to fundraise, entry is £12 per child. Adults attend for free.

Ready to join us? Register here.

The post The SNAPS Superhero Challenge returns! first appeared on SNAPS Yorkshire CIO.

Leeds Half Marathon: 9th May, 2027

Sarah Tulley — Sat, 09 May 2026 10:33:50 +0000

Sunday, 9th May 2027
10.00am
AMT Headingley Stadium
Registration fee: £25, or £15 for groups of 4+
Minimum fundraising target: £250
Register here

The Leeds Half Marathon is one of Yorkshire’s biggest events of its kind.

The much-loved run raises hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity every year and often attracts thousands of runners. Could you take part in 2027 and raise funds for SNAPS?

What makes the event such a joy to run is the crowds. Support for runners along the route is always phenomenal, whatever the weather. Every runner gets a boost from the cheers of encouragement they receive along the route.

The Leeds Half is suitable for runners of all abilities and ages. With a fantastically vibrant atmosphere guaranteed, this run could be right up your street.

So get yourself to Leeds and let’s see you on the start line.

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Introducing Anne’s Shining Light Award

Sarah Tulley — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 10:04:27 +0000

We are proud to introduce Anne’s Shining Light – a new termly award created in memory of Anne Gait, who was a cherished member of the SNAPS family.

As one of SNAPS’ original founders, and later a Trustee and President, Anne played a key role in shaping the charity and supporting children with additional needs across Leeds.

Anne devoted her life to helping families, and her warmth, kindness and dedication continue to shine through everything we do. This special award will be given each term at both of our sites to two children at each of our sites, who have achieved something meaningful to them. This could be reaching a personal milestone, showing kindness to others, trying something new, or simply shining brightly in their own way.

Anne’s Shining Light celebrates the spirit she brought to SNAPS – reminding us to notice, value and champion every child’s unique journey.

We can’t wait to celebrate our first winners soon – watch this space!

The post Introducing Anne’s Shining Light Award first appeared on SNAPS Yorkshire CIO.

George takes on the London Marathon for SNAPS

Sarah Tulley — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 11:23:51 +0000

This April, one of our brilliant SNAPS dads, George Chilcott, will be taking on the London Marathon to raise funds for SNAPS.

George is running in honour of his daughter Olive, who is eight years old and has quadriplegic cerebral palsy. Olive can’t sit, walk or talk, and is fed through a gastrostomy tube. She lives at home with George, her mum, and her two younger sisters, Etta (6) and Rose (2).

We’ve supported Olive and her family since she was a baby, and over the years we’ve seen just how much she lights up at SNAPS. Despite the daily challenges she faces, Olive is full of personality and is often described by her family as cheeky. She especially loves being in the water.

For the last seven years, Olive has attended hydrotherapy sessions with us, and the impact has been incredible. Hydrotherapy is Olive’s favourite part of the week. Seeing her splash, kick and enjoy that sense of freedom brings so much joy, not just to Olive, but to her whole family.

At SNAPS, we support children with additional needs and their families through a wide range of therapies and inclusive activities. Around 100 families come through our doors every week, and many describe SNAPS as a lifeline.

SNAPS doesn’t receive statutory funding to deliver its services, so we rely on the generosity of supporters to keep our doors open and continue supporting families across Leeds.

George has a clear goal in mind: he’s aiming to raise £6,236, which is enough to fund a full week of SNAPS services. So far, he’s already raised over £3,000, with amazing support from family, friends and the local community.

George has shared that while the London Marathon will be tough, it feels like a small challenge compared to what families like his face every day. Running is his way of giving something back to the charity that has been there for Olive and for their family over many years.

We are incredibly thankful to George for his commitment, determination and support. We’ll be cheering him on every step of the way.

We’ve been really touched by the response to George’s story, which has also been shared by Leeds Live and the Yorkshire Evening Post.

How you can support George

If you’d like to support George’s London Marathon run and help us continue supporting children like Olive and their families, you can donate at George’s Enthuse page.

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SNAPS receives grant from the Garfield Weston Foundation

Sarah Tulley — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 10:23:35 +0000

We are very pleased to share that we have received a grant from the Garfield Weston Foundation.

This significant grant over the next 2 years will help us to continue our vital work supporting children with additional needs and their families across Leeds and West Yorkshire.

At SNAPS, we do not receive any statutory funding to deliver our services. Everything we offer is made possible thanks to the generosity of supporters, trusts and foundations who believe in our work and the difference it makes to families.

Grants like this play an important role in helping us provide consistent, high‑quality support and plan confidently for the future. We would like to say a heartfelt thank you to the Garfield Weston Foundation for their generous support and for helping us continue to be there for the families who rely on SNAPS.

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SNAPS Launches a Lottery!

Sarah Tulley — Sun, 01 Mar 2026 10:16:23 +0000

We are really excited to share that we have launched the SNAPS Lottery!

This is a simple new way to support our work with children with additional needs and their families.

The SNAPS Lottery is an easy, weekly online lottery that costs just £1 per ticket. There is a draw every Saturday, with the chance to win up to £25,000. Best of all, 50p from every £1 ticket comes straight to SNAPS and helps fund our vital services.

It only takes a minute to sign up, and once you have joined, you will be entered into the draw automatically every week. You can choose to pay monthly or buy tickets in advance, making it a flexible and hassle free way to support SNAPS.

Families often tell us how much our services mean to them. One parent shared:

“Coming to SNAPS has had a positive impact for our whole family and we are forever grateful for this charity and the volunteers.”

By playing the SNAPS Lottery, you are helping us continue to offer activities, support and connection for families who need us. Whether you choose one ticket or a few, every entry really does make a difference.

Thank you for supporting SNAPS, and good luck!

Please play responsibly. 18+ UK only. Full terms and conditions are available on the lottery page.

The post SNAPS Launches a Lottery! first appeared on SNAPS Yorkshire CIO.

Important Service Update: Changes at Broomfield SILC

Sarah Tulley — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 12:55:50 +0000

What’s Happening

SNAPS currently supports children with additional needs and their families across three Leeds locations: Penny Field SILC, Broomfield SILC and Co‑op Academy Brierley.

Unfortunately, Broomfield SILC has informed us that, due to an upcoming development project on their grounds, we will no longer be able to hire their facilities after this term. This decision is outside of SNAPS’ control.

Our sessions at Broomfield will continue as usual from January through March 2026, but we will not be returning to this site for the summer term (April 2026) onwards.

We understand this news may be upsetting, and we’re truly sorry for any distress it may cause.

Next Steps

Sessions at all three SNAPS sites will run as normal until the end of March. After this period, families will be welcome at Penny Field and Co‑op Academy Brierley.

We’re committed to making sure families continue to receive the care and support they rely on, and our priority is to minimise disruption and maintain continuity of services. We’re working hard to explore options for relocating some Broomfield-based services to our other SNAPS sites and will share updates as soon as plans are confirmed.

Our Commitment

Our mission remains unchanged: to continue providing vital care and support to as many families as possible who need us and to provide practical, therapeutic, and inclusive activities that make a tangible difference.

Questions and Support

If you have any questions or need further details, please contact Jo at Jo@snapsyorkshire.org or Lucy at lucy@snapsyorkshire.org. We’re here to help.

Thank you for your continued support during this transition.

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