Spread Your Wings

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Not publicly available
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not specified
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified
• Geographic Focus: United Kingdom

Contact Details

• Website: www.spreadyourwingsuk.com
• Email: Hello@SpreadYourWingsUK.com

Overview

Spread Your Wings is a UK-registered charity (No. 1201650) founded on 3 February 2023 by Alex & Jenny Vainella, parents to Leo who lives with Angelman syndrome, along with friend Clare Hegarty. The charity operates entirely through volunteers with no paid staff, ensuring maximum funds reach beneficiaries. The organisation focuses on supporting families affected by Angelman Syndrome through direct financial assistance for equipment and therapies, while also contributing to research efforts. In 2023, they made a significant £60,000 research donation to the Oxford Natural History Study via FAST UK.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

• Family Grants: Available to families affected by Angelman Syndrome
• Application through membership system
• Rolling application rounds (members notified when open)

Priority Areas

• Equipment for children with Angelman Syndrome
• Therapy services and interventions
• Essential services for affected families
• Research into UBE3A gene and potential treatments
• Physical activities and sports participation for affected children

What They Don't Fund

• General fundraising appeals
• Projects outside Angelman Syndrome and similar conditions

Ready to write a winning application for Spread Your Wings?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save hours and increase your success rate.

Learn more >

Governance and Leadership

The charity was founded by Alex & Jenny Vainella and Clare Hegarty. Tasha, appointed as trustee in December 2023, is a chartered surveyor managing business partnerships and sponsorships.

As an Angelman family themselves, the founders bring personal understanding: “As an Angelman family we know how hard life can be at times and how a piece of equipment, a course of therapy or some other services can help, particularly when you are relieved of the financial burden.”

How to Apply to Spread Your Wings

How to Apply

Families must first become members through the charity's website. Once registered, members are notified when application rounds open.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly available. The charity operates on a rounds-based system rather than rolling applications.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies have not been publicly specified.

Application Success Factors

• Direct connection to Angelman Syndrome: Primary eligibility requirement is being a family affected by Angelman Syndrome or similar conditions
• Specific needs focus: Applications should clearly identify how equipment, therapy, or services will help
• Membership engagement: Active membership and engagement with the charity community may strengthen applications

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Small, focused charity with personal understanding of beneficiary needs
• Must become a member before applying - not open application
• Strong emphasis on direct, practical support rather than general funding
• 100% volunteer-run ensures maximum funds reach beneficiaries
• Research funding demonstrates commitment to long-term solutions alongside immediate support
• Grant amounts and annual giving figures not publicly specified

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The O'sullivan Family Charitable Trust
• Jeans For Genes Campaign
• Regain - The Trust For Sports Tetraplegics
• Masonic Charitable Foundation
• The Britford Bridge Trust
• Clara E Burgess Charity
• The Geoff & Fiona Squire Foundation
• The A.d. Charitable Trust
• Michael Crawford Children's Charity
• Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Charity

References

• Spread Your Wings Official Website (www.spreadyourwingsuk.com) -
• Charity Commission Register - SPREAD YOUR WINGS (1201650) -
• Cure Angelman UK - Spread Your Wings Gala Highlights - 2024
• Fundraising Regulator Directory - Spread Your Wings - 2024