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Lora and Phoenix with CBeebies presenter George Webster

Phoenix visits the BBC

You might remember the brilliant Phoenix and his mum, Lora, featuring on BBC Radio 2 last year, where they talked all about SNAPS as part of BBC Children in Need.

Following the interview,  Phoenix was invited to Bolton Wanderers stadium to speak to Zoe Ball live on air, and meet Vernon Kay at the end of his Ultra Ultra marathon challenge for Children in Need. Vernon had completed an epic 115 mile journey, raising over £5 million.

Well, Phoenix was such a hit with the BBC team that he and Lora were recently invited to meet with Vernon Kay once again, this time as part of a special surprise event to celebrate Vernon’s incredible achievement. Phoenix and Lora went along to the BBC at MediaCityUK in Salford, where Phoenix was brought out as a special surprise guest for Vernon, who was so delighted that he offered to take Phoenix to a Bolton Wanderers game!

Phoenix and Lora were then given the opportunity to go behind the scenes, visiting a number of sets including Match of the Day and CBeebies, where they bumped into presenter George Webster! 

Well done Phoenix, you’re a natural media star and we’re sure this isn’t the last time you’ll be visiting the BBC studios!

You can read more about Phoenix and his family here. 

Phoenix & Lora with Ashley Jean-Baptiste
Walkers participating in the Leeds Great Walk

Leeds Great Walk: 12th July, 2025

Event details
  • Saturday, 12th July 2025
  • Lineham Farm, Swan Lane, Leeds, LS16 8AZ
  • Registration fee: £15 earlybird before 31st May, £20 afterwards
  • Minimum fundraising target: £100
  • Register for a place
Experience Leeds’ most picturesque outdoor areas 

With three choices of distance, The Great Leeds Walk will start and finish at Lineham Farm, taking you on a journey through urban spaces and the wonderful countryside of rural Leeds.

You can choose to walk with a marshall or stride off on a solo adventure along the well-marked out route. 

The minimum fundraising target for this event is £100 – this amount could fund two physiotherapy or hydrotherapy sessions. 

Choose your distance and join team SNAPS for an unforgettable adventure!
  • 10 Miles: Perfect for those looking for a manageable yet rewarding walk.
  • 17 Miles: A great middle-ground challenge to push your limits.
  • 26 Miles: The ultimate one-day endurance test for seasoned walkers.
 What’s included?
  • Comprehensive preparation: pre-event guidance and build-up treks to get you ready.
  • Guided walk: walk alongside experienced guides and the supportive Overlimits team.
  • Go solo: good with navigation? Use the route guide and reach checkpoints solo or with friends.
  • Safety briefing: detailed pre-event briefing to ensure you’re fully prepared.
  • Checkpoints: refresh at water checkpoints strategically located along each route.
  • Completion medal: celebrate your achievement with a commemorative finisher’s medal.
  • Support team: the Overlimits team is on-hand to provide encouragement and first aid if needed.
  • Return transportation: minibus back to the start for those completing 10 + 17-mile routes.

Please note, walkers must be aged 16 years or above on the day of the event.

Register here
Child Friendly Leeds Awards 2024

Child Friendly Leeds Awards Winners!

Members of the SNAPS team attended the Child Friendly Leeds Awards 2024 at the City Varieties Music Hall in Leeds yesterday.

It was a fantastic evening,  made even better when SNAPS was announced as winner of “Exceptional Contribution to the Child Friendly Leeds 12 Wishes!”

This award recognises the individuals, projects and organisations who have positively contributed to one of the Child Friendly Leeds 12 wishes, which were developed with children and young people across Leeds in 2022. The judges had received over 300 nominations, so we were thrilled just to be shortlisted!

Child Friendly Leeds is all about creating better outcomes for children and young people in Leeds, something that we truly believe in here at SNAPS. We’re absolutely delighted to have our work recognised in this way and would like to congratulate all of the winners of the 2024 awards.

Our Chief Executive, Lucy Owen, says: “It was amazing to hear about the organisations and individuals doing amazing things for young people across our city at the Child Friendly Leeds Awards.

“The Exceptional Contribution to the Child Friendly Leeds 12 Wishes Award is so important because it’s all about children’s voices being heard. This accolade is testament to our amazing staff and volunteer team, and of course our fabulous families, who make SNAPS the incredible place it is!”

You can find out more about Child Friendly Leeds here.

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Vote for SNAPS in the My Favourite Voucher Codes Charity Poll!

We’re delighted that SNAPS has been selected as one of the charities for the My Favourite Voucher Codes July charity poll.   

Every month, My Favourite Voucher Codes give four charities the chance to win a donation of 20% of their profits.

Throughout the month, the public gets to vote for the charity they want to see win, and the charity with the most votes at the end of July will win the donation.

We would be very grateful if you could spare 30 seconds to vote for SNAPS!

Here’s how to vote:

  • Click on the My Favourite Voucher Codes homepage
  • Scroll until you see the poll on the right hand side (bottom of the page on mobile phones)
  • Click the small circle next to SNAPS to cast your free vote
  • The poll runs from 1st to 31st

You do not need to use any vouchers to vote, and everyone gets one vote – so make sure to share with your friends and family.

Thank you for your continued support! 

Picture of an Athens stadium

Marathon in a month: July 2025

1st July – 31st July

Take on the challenge of a marathon during July! 

This challenge is based on the legend from which marathons gained their name. A messenger in Ancient Greece called Pheidippides, ran from the Battle of Marathon to Athens to announce the Greeks’ victory over the Persians.  

This July, SNAPS is inviting you to take on the challenge! Over the course of the month you can walk, run, swim or row a total of 26.2 miles. You will be able to log your activity on an app, either by manually adding each distance or linking to your smartphone/smartwatch.  

Register your interest by emailing our Fundraising team: fundraising@snapsyorkshire.org  

 

SNAPS Superhero Challenge

SNAPS Superhero Challenge: 29th June, 2025

An inclusive family fun day, giving children the opportunity to take part in a tailored fun run. 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. We want all our kids to feel like a superhero for the day!

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SNAPS Superhero Challenge returns for 2024

Our annual SNAPS Superhero Challenge is returning to Leeds this September! 

Taking place at the John Charles Centre for Sport on Sunday, 8th September, the Superhero Challenge gives children the chance to zoom around a 400m athletics track. Each child can decide on their own distance target. They may choose to go halfway round, the full way round or keep going many times. They can choose to either run or walk, and those requiring a wheelchair, walker or pushchair can wheel around the track too.

Each child will receive a superhero cape, a goody bag and a special medal to mark their achievement. There will also be a host of fun family activities including:

  • Giant bouncy castle
  • Face painting
  • Arts and crafts
  • Children’s entertainers
  • Real life superheroes
  • Gentle therapy animals
  • The chance to look around emergency services vehicles

…and much more!

We’re very grateful to our event sponsors Irwin Mitchell and Taylor Wimpey, and excited to welcome special guests including the Right Worshipful the Lord Mayor of Leeds and the Leeds Children’s Mayor.  

SNAPS’ services receive no government funding, and all funds raised from the Superhero Challenge will go towards our vital work.

Tim Wyatt, whose family has been supported by SNAPS since his daughter Florence suffered a very rare paediatric stroke just before her third birthday, says: “I cannot express enough how grateful my family and I are for the unwavering care and attention that SNAPS has provided to my daughter during her recovery from a stroke. The charity has truly been a lifeline for us during a very challenging time.

“Doing the Superhero Challenge is a real highlight of our family’s year and the perfect way to celebrate all the hard-fought rehabilitation victories in my daughter Florence’s journey. We’re counting down the days to this year’s event, ready to create more unforgettable moments of joy and triumph!”

Lisa Morton, Head of Fundraising at SNAPS, said: “We are so excited for this year’s Superhero Challenge. Last year’s event was attended by over 100 children and was jam-packed with entertainment, and we are going bigger and better this year! The Superhero Challenge offers a safe and inclusive way for ALL families to come together and have fun.

Tickets cost £5 per child (adults go free). Find out more about the Superhero Challenge 2024 here and book tickets here. 

Young child enjoying Hydrotherapy with a physio

SNAPS awarded grant from Postcode Neighbourhood Trust

We are absolutely delighted to share the news that we have been awarded a grant of £25,000 from Postcode Neighbourhood Trust!

 

Postcode Neighbourhood Trust supports smaller charities and good causes in the North of England, to make a difference to their community for the benefit of people and planet.

 

These funds will help us to deliver our vital support services for children with additional needs and their families.

We would like to say a huge thank you to players of People’s Postcode Lottery for making this possible. 

Leeds 10K

Leeds 10K: 15th June, 2025

Event details

The Leeds 10K is one of the highlights of the city’s events calendar. It is a hugely popular, inclusive and supported race for participants of all abilities. 

 Throughout the route, crowds come out in force. A fantastic atmosphere and friendly volunteers make the event unforgettable for all. 

Whether it’s your first 10K or you’re running for a PB whilst fundraising for a cause close to your heart, this is the event for you! 

Running for SNAPS means that every kilometre you run will be raising funds to support vital therapies for children with additional needs. SNAPS’ services receive no government funding, and it is thanks to dedicated people like you that we can support 180 families a month. 

Please note that the registration fee to take part is £29.50, but this will be refunded to you once you reach your fundraising target (the minimum fundraising target is £150).  

What’s included 
  • Chip timing
  • SNAPS t-shirt
  • Dedicated fundraising support
  • Finisher’s goody bag
  • Exclusive medal
  • A fantastic experience! 
 How to sign up
  1. Buy your place at the Leeds 10K website. 
  2. Visit the Leeds 10K SNAPS page to join our team.

We will then be in contact to welcome you to the team and offer fundraising support, along with your personalised fundraising page link. 

Running with a group of friends or colleagues and want to create your own team? The first person in your group who registers can set the team up, and then subsequent runners can join it when they register.  

Please note, entrants must be 15 years or over on event day. 

Florence and her family

Florence and family

"SNAPS has truly been a lifeline for us."

Tim says: “Florence suffered a very rare paediatric stroke in August 2020, just before her third birthday.

“The stroke meant that Florence lost all movement of her left side and was unable to walk and talk. Our family were in hospital for two weeks before starting to navigate the world of health and rehab appointments for Florence.

“As we desperately searched for support and help outside of what is such a busy and overstretched NHS, we came across SNAPS. SNAPS offered us a place where we could come and meet other parents and children with additional needs as a family. I cannot express enough how grateful my family and I are for the unwavering care and attention that SNAPS has provided to my daughter during her recovery from a stroke. The swim and rebound sessions have been an integral part of her rehabilitation journey, and the supportive community and inclusive environment have made a positive impact on all of us. SNAPS has truly been a lifeline for us during this challenging time.”

You can read about Florence’s swimming journey at SNAPS here. 

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