Whizz Kidz Reopens Its Waitlist Following Childhood Can't Wait Success

Together, We've Taken an Important Step Forward

Today, we're delighted to share some significant news: Whizz Kidz has reopened its waitlist for disabled children and young people across the UK.

Last year, we made the incredibly difficult decision to close our waitlist after demand for support exceeded our capacity. It was a decision no charity wants to make, knowing that families were facing longer waits for the mobility equipment and support their children needed.

Since then, we have been working tirelessly to build a more sustainable future for our services. Thanks to the extraordinary response to our Childhood Can't Wait campaign and the generosity of supporters, fundraisers, trusts, foundations, corporate partners and major donors, we have strengthened our clinical capacity and can once again accept referrals.

This is a major milestone. It means more young wheelchair users can begin accessing the specialist assessments, personalised mobility equipment and opportunities that help them build confidence, independence and ambition for the future.

What Reopening Means for Families

Reopening the waitlist is about much more than accepting new referrals.

It means more children can begin the journey towards greater freedom and independence. It means more families can access expert clinical support. It means more young wheelchair users can receive equipment tailored to their individual needs, helping them participate fully at school, at home and in their communities.

Supporters Made This Possible

The reopening of our waitlist has only been possible because people came together when we needed them most.

The Childhood Can't Wait campaign generated around £150,000 in one-off donations alongside £20,000 in regular giving. The campaign also helped secure widespread support, including the Daily Express choosing Whizz Kidz as its Christmas Appeal partner, raising a further £113,000. These contributions, together with transformational support from trusts, foundations, corporate partners and major donors, enabled us to reach the funding level needed to reopen the waitlist.

Every gift played a part in helping more children access the support they need.

The Work Isn't Finished

While reopening the waitlist is a significant achievement, it is not a return to business as usual.

Demand for support continues to grow, increasing by around 12.5% every year. To meet the needs of all the young wheelchair users requesting support, Whizz Kidz still requires an additional £1.2 million annually.

That's why ongoing support remains so important.

Today is a moment to celebrate, but it's also a reminder that too many children still face delays accessing equipment that should be a fundamental part of childhood. Together, we can continue changing that.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this milestone possible and for helping create a future where every young wheelchair user can confidently say: Just watch me.