David Lloyd Sudbury Hill

Every two hours in the UK someone is paralysed by a Spinal Cord injury. It can happen to anyone, at any time - through slips and falls, road traffic or sporting accidents, surgical complications, or illness - and it changes someone’s life in an instant. Most people will become wheelchair users for the rest of their lives. Aspire is a national charity that offers practical support to anyone affected by spinal cord injury, from their first days in hospital and throughout the rest of their lives, from injury to independence. We help people understand that while a spinal cord injury is life-changing, with the right information, guidance and support they can still lead fulfilled and independent lives. Our Independent Living Service operates across the UK; our team of Advisors, all of whom are themselves paralysed, work in 10 specialist Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Centres, providing emotional, practical and peer support to those who are newly injured; and signposting people onto other services that may be useful for them. Our Patient Education teams work with hospital staff to ensure patients receive quality information on living with a spinal cord injury like skin care and bowel and bladder management; and help to evaluate gaps in patients’ knowledge before they leave hospital. Our Assistive Technology Programme means that patients with limited or no use of their hands and arms due to a high-level injury, can use specialist technology that allows them independent access to a computer, tablet or phone. Aspire’s Housing Programme provides accessible homes for short-term use whilst individuals seek permanent, suitable places to live as well as supporting those who are already facing housing difficulties or need housing advice. Our Welfare Benefits Service provides dedicated advice, guidance and a means to challenge incorrect welfare benefit awards to anyone with a spinal cord injury. And our Money Matters Service supports those with money or debt worries, helping them take back control of their finances. We are proud that 26% of Aspire staff have a disability and one in five have a spinal cord injury, including all our Independent Living Advisors who are based in 10 NHS Spinal Cord Injury Centres across the UK. We continually listen to the needs of our community which enables us to genuinely tackle the issues that matter and provide the solutions that make a real difference. A spinal cord injury may change a person’s life, but it doesn’t have to limit their future. Each year, Aspire supports the 4,700 people in the UK who become newly injured, offering practical help and advice when they need it the most. Providing this level of support and meeting the growing demand for our services costs over £2 million a year, most of which we must raise through charitable income.

Wildlife Victoria has provided the community with a Wildlife Emergency Response service for 30 years. Every year, they help thousands of native animals. This becomes particularly important during the bushfires and extreme heat of the Australian summers, when dozens of wildlife shelters and carers are affected. David Lloyd is fundraising for the Victorian bushfire appeal, where the money will be distributed to wildlife shelters and carers to rebuild enclosures and equipment they have lost.

Young Harrow Foundation (YHF) is a new organisation that has been set up to support charities and organisations working with children and young people in the London Borough of Harrow. YHF will receive funding for core costs from the John Lyon’s Charity and City Bridge Trust for an initial period of three years, to deliver on the following four main priorities: • To provide fundraising support to member organisations that lead to the creation of more projects and programmes to support young people in Harrow • To influence policy, decision-making and best practice, which impacts on member organisations and beneficiaries • To identify the needs of young people in Harrow in partnership with local services • To facilitate effective communication and collaboration between organisations working with young people in Harrow and key external organisations • To broker relationships between businesses and Charities that can work together for the benefit of young people