Thank you & Merry Christmas!

For the past 12 months, Little Hiccups has been taken under the wing of Strata Homes who have been fundraising for us. We are pleased and proud to announce that through their year-long hard slog of The Major Series, climbing mountains, jumping out if planes and the much nicer Bake Off, Go Karting and Bowling they have managed to raise us a massive

£90,557

Everyone at Little Hiccups is so overwhelmed and grateful for everyone that has raised money for us. This will truly help us to take Little Hiccups to another level. 

Thank you! 

Christmas Adventures

So December brought us back to Sundown Adventureland to kick off Christmas in style. Every year we make an annual trip here and each year is bigger and better than the one before. This year we again had over 100 people attending, many of whom have joined us year on year for this festive trip.

It was a cold but dry day. About as perfect weather-wise you can get for a December trip and all the families that attended thoroughly enjoyed themselves despite the cold. It must be said as well that the organisation and effort put in by Sundown has improved year on year and this year was by far the most efficient yet. All the Hiccups families met up for the Christmas ride around noon and for our annual group photo. The elves on the ride along with the Hiccups Directors helped with the wheelchairs which allowed every child the opportunity to ride the magic ride and to meet the Big Man himself at the end.

Sundown have also continued to expand the park and this year the Wooden Fort was completed after a period of renovation. There was a large castle with swings and seesaws that managed to entertain the children for some time. And I think one of the favourite things about Sundown are the lights that come on when dusk falls. It sets the Christmas atmosphere beautifully and is truly a wonderful start to the Christmas festivities.

"Thank you so much for organising this."

"Thanks Little Hiccups for such a wonderful day at Sundown. We really enjoyed it! Same again next year!"

"Thank you we have had a fantastic day!!"

"Thank you so much. We made lots of memories that will last forever xx"

"What a team! Thanks for looking after us today. X"

"Great day today as always even though I got us lost on the way!! Thanks to the Little Hiccups team for organising hope everyone had fun"

"Had a great day and the Santa ride was just beautiful - Emily did some brilliant looking at all the lights. Thanks little hiccups! Xxx"

"Thank you for a wonderful day!! Lots of fun as always."

"Lovely day at Sundown thanks for organising"



Website: http://www.sundownadventureland.co.uk

A more fun side of fundraising!

Molton Brown is a sensory experience that's actually disguised as a night of fundraising and it's becoming a firm annual fixture on our social calendar. Who, after all, can turn down a night of pampering? It really is VIP treatment - something that you would normally only see on TV. 

The experience of having a shop open exclusively for you just before Christmas and which allows 

you access to wander and sample all the delights of the Molton Brown products is truly wonderful. 

The Molton Brown store team are an excellent bunch who really do look after us. On the night we enjoyed drinks, nibbles and an arm massage. With the ticket price of only £20 we also received a voucher to use in store and a Goody Bag worth £20! It really is excellent value. I can't believe such a fun relaxing evening is actually fundraising. I'm never running 10k again if this is the way forward.


The total amount raised will be available soon! 

Sarah Stewart (Little Hiccups Chairperson)

I can't stop the feeling so just dance, dance, dance!

Hiccups Directors looking serious

At least once a year we try to book a private showing at The Showcase Cinema for our Little Hiccups families. every year it gets bigger and bigger as word spreads and this year was no exception. We had over 100 people wanting to come and the Showcase were more than happy to oblige!

This November we went back to the Showcase Cinema to see The Trolls which is a feel good story about friendship. With lots of singing as well of course! Which the children loved with many joining in. And why not! This is why these trips are so popular. We book the cinema just for Hiccups families so that everyone can relax and know that it doesn't matter if the child does not want to sit down for 2 hours straight. Or if they do want to join in the songs or yell out. To us - its all part of the experience. We also make it fully accessible. The lights are left on dim, the sound is reduced so its not quite as loud and we had subtitles for the hard of hearing. Audio description can also be used but wasn't needed in this instance. I had two families come up to me after and say this is the first time their child has been to the cinema - and THAT is why we do this. To give every child the opportunity to experience what they are entitled to and to create special memories.

This time, Little Hiccups also purchased snacks for everyone. Children has the Child's pack which included popcorn, a sweet and a drink whereas the adults were also treated to a drink and an adult sized popcorn. And I can confirm that the adults were very well behaved and there were no popcorn fights!

Thank you to the Showcase and we'll be back next year for more!

Queuing for snacks

 "A good time was had by all. Thanks."

"Had a great time thank you! Xx"

"Please pass our thanks to everyone who helped organise this. We had a great time and really enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere. Thanks again."

"Thanks for today. Think Lyall enjoyed his first cinema experience. Xxxx"

"Thank you for this .Was lovely .My son Hamaad and family loved it xxxx"

"Had a fab time thank you xx"

"Thanks for a wonderful morning watching trolls xxx"


Website: http://www.showcasecinemas.co.uk

Little Hiccups is proud to announce that we are now a Registered Charity!

Little Hiccups is proud to announce that we are now a Registered Charity! Our official Charity Number is 1170147. 

We're very pleased with this news as its been a long hard slog to get here. Here's what our gaining this number can mean to you:

1) It gives us authenticity. We know that you know that all our money raised goes straight back into Little Hiccups and in particular the fun events that we hold ever month. But those people that have not yet heard of us might not know. With a Charity Registration we are required to report back to the Charity Commission - so everyone knows where the money goes.

2) We can apply for a lot more grants and different sources of funding. Due to the above reason, we now have access to a lot more funding streams - which means more fun for you guys in the future. Now is your opportunity to tell us what you've always wanted your children to have the opportunity to do and we'll see if we can make it possible! 

3) We are now eligible to register with organisations such as Google for Nonprofits, eBay for Charity and seethedifference.org

4) You lovely people can also help us fundraise. We've had so many kind offers from people who say that their work is willing to fundraise for us and it will be matched by the business to double the amount. BUT they will need a Charity Number....well  - now we have one! 

It truly is a fantastic opportunity for Little Hiccups and is a step towards our big plans for the future. We're really very excited about what 2017 is going to bring for us. And we couldn't do it without all you lovely people supporting us. Thank you! 

No mountain is too high for Little Hiccups

In October we went to tackle the ramps and hills of The Works Skatepark. In a private session of 20 children, Little Hiccups families were allowed to trial out stunt scooters, BMX's and skateboards. Or of course, if none of those took their fancy they could explore the smooth, wooden surfaces at their own rate and use the ramps as slides if they chose.

It was a massive success, with children enjoying it in the way that they found best. I saw children getting braver and braver as the session went on and the ones in wheelchairs taking on the ramps by themselves. It was truly a #NoLimits session and again our children showed us that they are fearless and ready to take on new challenges.

The staff at The Works were also fantastic - they were on hand at all times to guide and teach if needed. They have emailed since to say that they too enjoyed the session and have invited us back. I think we'll definitely be going!

The Works is also a Charity and works closely with schools, youth groups and extended services where our aim is to help get children back into exercise whilst having fun through learning or improving with different non-traditional sports.

Meanwhile, while the children were exploring downstairs, upstairs in the cafe area Little Hiccups held a Bake Sale to help raise funds for Cash for Kids and are proud to announce that we raised a very worthwhile £149.30. Plus of course, as an added bonus, we got to eat a lot of yummy cakes!

Cash for Kids is an extremely worthwhile Charity which responds to the needs of children in our communities so they can live life to the full and realise their individual potential. Currently they are raising funds and advertising for Christmas Presents for Mission Christmas. They are asking people to buy an extra present that they can give to a disadvantaged local child to make their Christmas morning special.

As well as cake, Little Hiccups made sure that refreshments were also provided via the cafe. Many thanks to the staff there as well for making sure we were all fed and watered!

Leeds Law Firm Ison Harrison Supports Charity Ball

Our upcoming charity ball on Saturday 19^th November is just around the corner and we’re really pleased to announce that our friends over at Ison Harrison Solicitors will be showing their full support for the event this year.

Ison Harrison is a well-established law firm with a head office in Leeds city centre and a further 9 offices in the local surrounding areas. The firm specialises in complex clinical negligence cases as well as offering a full service across family law, conveyancing and wills and probate.

With over 230 people expected to descend on the Leeds Marriot hotel this Saturday, Ison Harrison has booked 4 tables for the event and will be proudly taking part in what promises to be a great evening for a fantastic cause.

Supporting the event, Ison Harrison are attending alongside members of a leading Erb’s Palsy Group who offer treatment advice to families who have suffered birth traumas.

Ison Harrison has offered up some fantastic raffle prizes for the evening, including two X Factor tickets and a free mirror will provided by the firm’s expert wills and probate team.

Managing Partner at Ison Harrison, Jonathan Wearing, commented:

“We’re proud to be supporting the Little Hiccups charity ball this year and feel it is important to be able to create strong ties with such organizations and advice groups in the local area. Special needs and disabilities are still under-recognised in the UK and by working with local initiatives, we hope to change this.”

For more information, please visit www.isonharrison.co.uk