Chris Westwood Charity For Children With Physical Disabilities

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £100,000 (approx.)
• Total Granted to Date: £1.3 million
• Cases Supported: 1,111 since inception
• Decision Time: 24-48 hours
• Grant Range: Variable (based on equipment needs)
• Geographic Focus: 50-mile radius of Stourbridge, West Midlands (covers ~75% of Midlands)
• Age Range: Children and young people up to 25 years

Contact Details

Address:

Chris Westwood Charity for Children with Physical Disabilities

PO Box 7131

Stourbridge

DY8 9FP

Telephone: 07968 008098

Email:

• chriswestwoodcharity@outlook.com
• chriswestwoodcharity@gmail.com

Website: www.chriswestwoodcharity.co.uk

Preferred Contact Method: Email (with PDF attachments preferred), though telephone is available for essential queries.

Overview

The Chris Westwood Charity for Children with Physical Disabilities (Charity No. 1101230) was founded in 2003 by Chris Westwood MBE following the death of his mother in 2002. Since its inception, the charity has granted £1.3 million and supported 1,111 cases. The charity provides financial assistance to purchase mobility, sensory, and vision equipment for children and young people with physical disabilities up to age 25, living within a 50-mile radius of Stourbridge in the West Midlands. Operating with zero administration costs - with no trustee remuneration and all incidental expenses covered by trustees themselves - the charity ensures every penny donated goes directly to supporting children and families. The organisation has grown at over 40% annually for 10 years and is on course to award approximately £100,000 in grants per year. The charity prides itself on its rapid response time of 24-48 hours from application to decision.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Single Grant Program: Equipment Funding

The charity operates a rolling grant program with no fixed deadlines or grant amount limits. Applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis depending on the equipment needed and the family's circumstances.

Priority Areas

The charity funds the purchase of mobility, sensory, and vision equipment when there are no other sources of funding available, including:

Mobility Equipment:

• Special exercise equipment, tricycles, and exercise trikes to build strength and stamina
• Walkers and standing frames to assist in regaining and maintaining mobility
• Wheelchairs and special mobility chairs
• Special car seats for safe transportation
• Special beds and lifting equipment

Sensory and Vision Equipment:

• Vision equipment and aids
• Sensory facilities and equipment
• Special safety sleep systems
• Support seating

Educational Equipment:

• Equipment for special schools (may be for individual use or group use by young people)

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the charity's focus is on:

• Equipment that has been recommended by a healthcare professional
• Cases where no other funding sources are available (suggesting they won't duplicate existing statutory provision)
• Children and young people within their geographic catchment area only

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

Chris Westwood MBE - Chairman of Trustees and Founder

Appointed 19 November 2003. Chris founded the charity in memory of his mother, with the goal of creating a charity that could operate with minimal costs and provide constructive use of family-accumulated funds. He is also Trustee and Chair of the Anthony & Gwendoline Wylde Memorial Charity. Awarded MBE for his charitable work.

Quote: “We aim to operate at zero costs so every penny raised goes to the children and families in need.”

Dr. Janine Margaret Barnes MBE - Trustee and Medical Adviser

Joined the charity in 2007. Awarded MBE in 2019 for work in Parkinson's and Services to Pharmacy. Provides medical expertise to the charity's decision-making.

Lewis Richard Thomas Barnes - Trustee and Treasurer

Appointed 02 April 2016. Also serves as Trustee of Somerville Foundation (Chair 2022-2023).

Quote from Chris Westwood: “The appointment of Lewis will once again give us four Trustees, and strengthen the range of skills and viewpoints.”

Former Trustees

• Martyn Morgan - Served as trustee until his death in December 2015
• Graham Wood - Served as treasurer for 22 years until retirement in November 2025

Operational Model

• Zero administration costs
• No employees - all work done by trustees
• Trustees cover all incidental expenses personally
• Payments made directly to equipment suppliers by BACS transfer
• No trustee receives remuneration, payments, or benefits

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with no fixed deadlines. The process is as follows:

• Why the grant is needed
• Details of the equipment proposed
• The child's circumstances and how the equipment will help

• The child's medical condition
• Why the equipment is necessary
• Professional recommendation for the specific equipment

• Email (preferred): chriswestwoodcharity@outlook.com or chriswestwoodcharity@gmail.com
• Post: Chris Westwood Charity, PO Box 7131, Stourbridge DY8 9FP

• Use clear, readable documents
• PDF format preferred for email attachments
• Ensure all necessary information is included to avoid delays

For a full list of what to include in your covering letter, visit: http://chriswestwoodcharity.weebly.com/grant-applications.html

Decision Timeline

24-48 hours from receipt of complete application to decision and notification.

This exceptionally rapid turnaround time is central to the charity's mission, particularly for children with degenerative or life-limiting conditions. As stated on their website: “Speed is key too, with quick decisions made on the grants we give to ensure that the child has the best possible chance of making a recovery.”

Payment Process

If successful, the charity pays the equipment supplier directly by BACS transfer, ensuring the funds are used for their intended purpose and simplifying the process for families.

Reapplication Policy

The charity does not publish specific information about reapplication. Given their case-by-case approach and focus on supporting children when no other funding is available, families whose circumstances or equipment needs change may be able to apply again. Contact the charity directly to discuss this.

Application Success Factors

Based on the charity's stated priorities and approach, successful applications are likely to demonstrate:

Essential Requirements

1. No Alternative Funding Available: The charity specifically states they help “when there are no other sources of funding available.” Applications must demonstrate that statutory services (NHS, local authority) and other funding sources have been exhausted.

1. Professional Healthcare Recommendation: Equipment must be “proposed by the relevant Healthcare Professional.” A strong supporting letter from a GP, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, or other qualified professional is essential.

1. Clear Equipment Specification: The charity needs to pay suppliers directly, so specific details about the equipment, supplier, and costs are necessary.

1. Geographic Eligibility: Must live within 50-mile radius of Stourbridge, West Midlands.

1. Age Eligibility: Child or young person must be under 25 years of age.

Factors That Strengthen Applications

1. Clear Impact on Independence: The charity aims to help children “reach their own maximum potential” and “become more independent.” Applications should clearly explain how the equipment will improve the child's quality of life and independence.

1. Urgency: The charity recognizes that “speed is key” particularly for degenerative or life-limiting conditions. Where time is a critical factor, this should be clearly stated.

1. Detailed Medical Context: Given Dr. Janine Barnes MBE serves as Medical Adviser trustee, applications with comprehensive medical information explaining the disability and how the equipment addresses specific needs are likely to be well-received.

1. Specific Equipment Needs: Rather than general requests, applications should specify exact equipment models, suppliers, and costs so the charity can pay directly.

What the Charity Values

• Direct Impact: Every penny goes to children, so they value applications that demonstrate clear, direct benefit
• Equipment over Running Costs: Focus is on purchasing equipment, not funding ongoing care or services
• Family-Centered: Recognition that families are doing their best in difficult circumstances
• Practical Solutions: Equipment that makes a tangible difference to daily life

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Speed is Essential: With 24-48 hour decision times, have all documentation ready before applying. Don't submit incomplete applications.

1. Demonstrate Funding Gap: Clearly show that NHS, local authority, and other funding sources cannot or will not provide the equipment. This is fundamental to eligibility.

1. Professional Support is Mandatory: A supporting letter from a healthcare professional is not optional - it's a core requirement. Ensure this letter details the medical condition and necessity of the equipment.

1. Be Specific About Equipment: Know exactly what equipment is needed, which supplier stocks it, and the precise cost. The charity pays suppliers directly by BACS.

1. Explain Impact on Independence: Articulate how this equipment will help the child become more independent or reach their potential, not just list clinical needs.

1. Geographic Check First: Confirm the child lives within 50 miles of Stourbridge before investing time in the application.

1. Zero Administration Costs Means Efficiency: The charity operates with remarkable efficiency. Applications should be clear, complete, and professional but don't need to be lengthy - focus on essential information.

1. Consider Urgency: If the child has a degenerative or life-limiting condition where timing is critical, state this clearly. The charity recognizes these situations require fast action.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Starburst Foundation
• Yorkshire Children's Charity
• The Eight Foundation
• The Mary Elizabeth Siebel Charity
• REGAIN - The Trust for Sports Tetraplegics
• 3R Foundation
• The Geoffrey Watling Charity
• The Royal Victoria Trust for the Blind
• The Gloucestershire Association for Disability
• THE EVESON TRUST

References

• Chris Westwood Charity official website: https://chriswestwoodcharity.weebly.com/
• Charity Commission Register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/3996827/full-print
• Chris Westwood Charity - Trustees page: https://chriswestwoodcharity.weebly.com/trustees.html
• Chris Westwood Charity - History page: https://chriswestwoodcharity.weebly.com/history.html
• Chris Westwood Charity - Contact page: https://chriswestwoodcharity.weebly.com/contact-us.html
• Express & Star article: "Richardson Brothers Foundation helps Stourbridge-based children's charity": https://www.expressandstar.com/news/business/2025/06/12/richardson-brothers-foundation-helps-stourbridge-based-childrens-charity/
• Alloy Wire International: “AWI contribution takes Chris Westwood Charity past the £1m fundraising mark”: https://www.alloywire.com/awi-contribution-takes-chris-westwood-charity-past-the-1m-fundraising-mark/
• Turn2us Grants Search: Chris Westwood Charity for Children with Physical Disabilities: https://grants-search.turn2us.org.uk/grant/chris-westwood-charity-for-children-with-physical-disabilities-12677