Our enthusiastic fundraising team keep busy throughout the year, raising vital funds in lots of different ways. SeeAbility is a 225 year old charity and with such a long history, fundraising has always been important to us. The money raised by our generous donors makes a huge difference to the lives of people with learning disabilities, autism and sight loss.

In 2024-25 generous people and organisations gave time and money through sponsored events, partnerships with companies, trust and foundation grants, public donations and gifts in wills. The fantastic commitment from these supporters and donors meant we received over 18,000 generous donations, totalling £1.36 million.

The public got involved in a variety of creative ways, running, walking, jumping and wheeling to raise much needed funds.  

SeeAbility’s London Marathon team 

As we approached the iconic London Marathon, our large team of runners were working hard to train and fundraise for SeeAbility. These 38 energetic people travelled from all over the UK and even from the United States, to take part in this iconic marathon and our biggest sponsored event of the year. They have already raised £56,300 and are on track to achieve a fantastic total £80,000 once all of their sponsorship comes in.

We will once again have guaranteed places in the 2026 London Marathon, and applications for SeeAbility places will be open in June 2025. We would love to welcome you to the team next year. 

SeeAbility’s lasting legacies

In 2024-25 twelve generous people left a lasting legacy through a gift in their will, together totalling over £462,000. Their generosity and care for the future will support people with learning disabilities, autism and sight loss for years to come. 

SeeAbility’s fundraising recruitment campaign: Resonating with the public  

Our largest initiative to recruit new donors for a number of years was undertaken in July-November 2024.

Through a private site regular giving campaign 674 generous people stepped forward to pledge to support our work with a gift every month.

Their generosity has already raised over £40,000 and the impact they have will continue to grow as the months pass. 

SeeAbility’s Chairman’s Challenge: 24 peaks in 24 hours

One of the year’s highlights was the superhuman endeavours of Chairman Jack Stacy and Trustee Michael Smith, who took on the incredible and seemingly impossible 24 Peaks Challenge to mark our charity's 225 anniversary.

In 24 hours, they climbed 24 peaks in the Lake District, including Scafell Pike, England's highest mountain. Michael, who is registered blind, relied on Jack's guidance throughout, showcasing remarkable teamwork and determination. Throughout the gruelling challenge, Jack provided sighted guiding and support. And despite rain and heavy fog, the pair worked in unison to complete the challenge which is officially graded ‘extreme’, with Jack planting his own feet on the ground and then guiding Michael where to place his.

Their amazing efforts raised over £175,000, generating huge buzz, with media appearances reaching over 5 million people, including on the Good Morning Britain sofa. 

Strategic partnerships

We would like to thank all the companies, philanthropists, families, trusts and foundations who supported SeeAbility in the last year. In particular:

• City Bridge Foundation for the Easy Eye Care Pathway in London.
• Thomas Pocklington Trust for Eye Care and Vision learning disability and autism awareness training.
• Gerald Micklem Foundation who gave to support volunteering in Hampshire and unrestricted.
• Hospital Saturday Fund to fund the purchase of medical equipment at Heather House. 

SeeAbility’s Big Give Christmas Challenge – Ready, Willing and Able London Appeal

Thanks to the generosity of SeeAbility supporters and matched-funding from The Reed Foundation through The Big Give Christmas Challenge, we raised an amazing £57,000 in just 48 hours last October. The money raised went directly to recruiting SeeAbility’s first London-based Supported Employment Coach. We would like to thank everyone who contributed to the 2024 challenge and we are already looking forward to another successful Big Give campaign in 2025! 

Thank you

All our donors and fundraisers make a difference to the lives of people we support. We are hugely grateful for the efforts of fundraisers like our marathon runners, those who generously leave a legacy to our work, and people taking on immense challenges like Michael and Jack - as well as the invaluable contributions of individual donors, trusts and companies who fuel our fundraising at SeeAbility. You enable us to make a lasting difference to people with learning disabilities, autism and sight loss. You are brilliant!