Thanks to a generous £3,000 grant from Smile of Hope, we have been able to fund six specialist Excel Elise pushchairs for families with children who have additional needs and who contacted us for Free SEN support.
Specialist pushchairs can be expensive and are often out of reach for families already managing the financial and emotional pressures that come with caring for a child with additional needs. This funding has allowed us to provide vital equipment to families who otherwise may not have been able to access it.
Each pushchair was purchased from Orchard Farm Ltd at a cost of £259 and included the Excel Elise special needs pushchair, complete with an adjustable footplate and a Storm Cover.
If you are in need of a pushchair to help someone in your family, please contact us.
About the Excel Elise Pushchair
The Excel Elise is a specialist SEN pushchair designed to support children with additional needs. It typically suits children aged between 2 and 8 years, although suitability is based more on a child’s size than age alone.
Built on a familiar umbrella style frame, the Excel Elise is easy for parents and carers to handle while offering the additional support many families rely on. The pushchair is designed to grow with the child, thanks to an adjustable footplate that can be set at three different heights to suit changing leg length.
Some of the key features of the Excel Elise Pushchair is:
- Suitable for children aged approximately 2 to 8 years, depending on size
- Specialist SEN pushchair designed for safety and everyday use
- Umbrella style folding design for easier transport and storage
- Adjustable footplate with three height settings
- Provides additional support for children with limited mobility or limited awareness of danger
- Helps families access outdoor spaces, appointments, and community activities safely
For families in need, access to specialist pushchair funding like this can make a meaningful and lasting difference.
Why Specialist Pushchair Funding Matters
For some children with additional needs, a specialist pushchair is not just helpful, it is essential. Many of the families we support care for children with limited mobility or little awareness of danger. Everyday outings can be stressful and, in some cases, unsafe without the right equipment.
A robust and supportive pushchair provides safety and comfort while giving parents and carers the confidence to leave the house, attend appointments, and spend time together outdoors. Pushchair funding helps remove a significant barrier, allowing families to focus on their child’s wellbeing rather than the cost of essential equipment.
Storm Cover included
Each Excel Elise pushchair provided through this funding also included a Storm Cover. Unlike a standard rain cover, the Storm Cover has its own framework and does not rely on a sun hood.
This means it can remain fitted even when the pushchair is folded, although it may prevent the clip from fully engaging. When not in use, the cover can be hung neatly on the back of the pushchair and is supplied with a durable waterproof drawstring storage bag.
What Parents and Carers Told Us
Hearing from the families themselves really shows the impact your support helps us provide:
Jess said:
“We are so grateful for the pushchair, we are now able to go outdoors without the worry of our boy getting himself into danger. As soon as my son got in the pushchair he did not want to get out! We cannot thank you enough, you have made a real positive impact to our family.”
Martin said:
“We were gifted a disability pushchair from the charity and it has honestly helped so much. Due to my wife’s own disability and our daughter getting too big for a basic pushchair, she was finding it extremely hard to get around. This makes going out more enjoyable and a lot easier, so thank you!”
One parent also shared how vital this support is for their little boy, Theo:
“Theo, although only 4 years old, is eager to explore the world on his own terms. Unfortunately, this can often be unsafe, as he doesn’t yet understand danger. Being both deaf and diagnosed with ASD adds extra challenges, especially when it comes to noticing or hearing things like oncoming cars. Having this pushchair will allow us to keep him safe when we’re out and about, especially in busy or crowded places. It will also help us take him to new environments while giving him a safe, familiar space whenever he feels uncomfortable. We are truly grateful for your generosity and for helping make our outings safer and more enjoyable for Theo.”
Please note, we provided six buggies. Two families kindly asked that their photos not be used on our website, so we have not included their images.
Making a Meaningful Difference Through Pushchair Funding
We feel incredibly fortunate to have been able to support six SEN families through this specialist pushchair funding. These pushchairs will make day to day life safer, more manageable, and more enjoyable for both children and their parents and carers.
Our sincere thanks go to Smile of Hope for enabling this support and for believing in the work we do.
Together, we are making a meaningful difference, one family at a time.
If you are in need of pushchair funding please contact us.
