A Year to Remember - 2024

December 18, 2024

THANK YOU for a year to remember

This year, Skylarks Charity has achieved incredible outcomes for children, young people and families while earning both international, national and local recognition. In the last year we’ve supported over 5,800 young people, 4,700 families have registered with us and we’ve delivered over 9,050 activity sessions! These achievements have been made possible through the generosity, time and support of our amazing team, volunteers, families, community, partners and fundraisers enabling us to deliver life-changing activities and invaluable advice.

Here are just a few 2024 highlights:

From play sessions to osteopathy, from to educational programming to online yoga and self-care workshops, we have provided opportunities for families to feel supported, less isolated and more informed.
We hosted benefits (DLA/PIP) workshops and clinics, counselling and therapy sessions and, in partnership with Jet Learn, we ran free online summer coding courses for young people with additional needs.
We organised fun events at iconic London locations and attended Summer Fairs to meet new & existing families in the community.
We welcomed new corporate partners like Cisco, McDermott International and, with help from another new partner, Vanderlande UK, we transformed our new Hounslow centre’s outdoor space.
We benefitted from the annual Legal 5K Run organised by MD Communications, where 600 lawyers raised funds for Skylarks.
We performed, as a choir of children and young people, our rendition of ‘12 Days of Skylarks Christmas’ live on stage at Kew Sparkle as their chosen beneficiary, also at the Richmond Christmas light switch on and the performance went live on Riverside Radio.
We were granted community funds from Morrisons, Tesco, John Lewis, Waitrose and Co-op.

National recognition:

Aaron Guiver, Managing Director, was shortlisted as a Positive Role Model at the National Diversity Awards and a judge for the British Care Awards.
Michael Howell, our Spread Your Wings mentor, made it to the final of Channel 4’s hit series The Piano.
We were shortlisted for the European Diversity Awards’ Charity of the Year and recognised at the National Learning Disability and Autism Awards.

Media highlights:

Skylarks featured on ITV national news and ITV local news, sharing stories about our work and challenges in the education system for families of children with additional needs, a combined reach of 40 million viewers.
We have featured in local news online and taken part in live radio interviews
Appeared in Living With Disability Magazine and Lifestyle Magazine to promote inclusive toys and celebrate our amazing beneficiaries.

Fundraising success:

Raised in excess of £85,000 during the Big Give Campaign, surpassing our £80,000 goal. Special mention to Richmond Foundation, MD Communications and The Childhood Trust for their support.
November’s FireWalk fundraiser was an incredible event and, together, people took part and brought in £4,500.
Community efforts, like from Holy Trinity CofE and Barnes Primary Schools, through their London-to-Paris charity cycle rides raised £40,000.

New beginnings:

Skylarks welcomed three new trustees – Dane Hardie, Ann-Louise Ward, and Dom Putt
We also delivered new initiatives such as the 8-week Spread Your Wings programme for parents and SEND Transition Fair at Harlequins Rugby Club.
We were sad to say goodbye to Susie and Siobhan, who have been involved for many years, as well as Rachael and Cherida and we welcomed Deirdre, Jonathan and Sarah.
We got the keys to our new Skylarks Hounslow Centre and are excited to formally open our doors next year.

Aaron Guiver, Managing Director said: “As the year closes, we reflect on the incredible milestones made possible by our supporters, partners, fundraisers, volunteers, and staff. “We couldn’t have done it without YOU. Here's to spreading even more joy in 2025!”