News

At The CiaO Foundation, our mission is to provide aid, funding, practical support and encouragement to individuals with physical and/or mental disabilities who are facing seemingly insurmountable challenges.

For us, providing a CiaO grant is just the beginning of the journey. We are committed to supporting our grant recipients and partner organisations well beyond the application process, offering ongoing mentorship, guidance and encouragement whenever needed.

An important part of this support comes through volunteering.

We are incredibly proud to share that CiaO grant recipient Toby Richardson has won the TCS London Mini Marathon 2026 T54 wheelchair race, setting a new course record in the process.

We would like to introduce you to Craig Sears, one of our latest CiaO Grant recipients, whose determination to rebuild his independence after a life-changing spinal cord injury is nothing short of remarkable. In 2020, Craig sustained a complete C5–C6 injury after a car accident, leaving him paralysed from the chest down and with limited arm and hand function. Living in rural Scotland, where steep gradients, uneven ground and long distances can be part of daily life, Craig has faced significant barriers to getting outdoors, exploring nature and staying connected to his community.

Life can change in an instant. For one CiaO Foundation grant recipient, Terry Lynch, that moment came unexpectedly in July 2022 through asymptomatic Strep A. With no warning signs or sore throat, the infection rapidly developed into severe sepsis. This led to a cascade of life-threatening complications and eventually resulted in the amputation of both legs below the knee and all the fingers on both hands. Terry’s experience highlights the devastating impact of sepsis and the importance of recognising its early signs.

We are incredibly proud to share that CiaO grant recipient Toby Richardson has been named a finalist in the Pride of Swindon Awards 2026.

We are pleased to announce that applications are now open for the next round of CiaO Foundation Grants.

The CiaO Foundation is proud to support one of its latest grant recipients, GB paraclimber Luke Smith, whose dedication, resilience, and passion for his sport have already taken him to some of the biggest stages in international climbing. Born with a clubfoot / talipes, Luke has never allowed his condition to define his limits. Instead, he has built a remarkable career in the RP3 paraclimbing category, representing Great Britain, competing at World Cups and World Championships.

Spring 2026 and Jason Wells is embarking on an extraordinary 50‑day solo walk across Spain, covering approximately 1,500 km from Seville to Santiago de Compostela and onward to Murcia. Inspired by a friend connected to the CiaO Foundation, Jason has chosen to dedicate this immense personal challenge to supporting our work. His journey is truly a powerful example of what it means to embrace the idea that Challenge Is An Opportunity.

The CiaO Foundation is delighted to share the success of a recent silent auction held during a special preview of Road, a new series of paintings by acclaimed British artist Duncan Robert McCormick. Hosted at the H.R. Owen Lotus showroom on Piccadilly in London, the preview event brought together art enthusiasts, supporters and friends to celebrate McCormick’s latest body of work.

The CiaO Foundation is proud to continue its supportive partnership with Dysart School, a specialist provision supporting pupils with a wide range of severe and complex learning disabilities across the Royal Borough of Kingston and beyond. Dysart is dedicated to promoting equality of opportunity and maximising every young person’s potential by fostering independence, communication, self-esteem and confidence.

We are very proud to support para-badminton athlete David Follett, an exceptional competitor, mentor and role model whose journey is a powerful example of resilience in action. Ranked number one in England and seventh in the world in mixed doubles, David has spent well over a decade representing his country with pride, turning adversity into lasting impact both on and off the court.

We’re thrilled to welcome Bethany Handley—prolific poet, writer, editor, and disability activist—as one of the latest recipients of a CiaO Foundation grant. Bethany’s creative voice and advocacy work have touched many, and her resilience since becoming paralysed from the waist down in 2023 has been nothing short of inspiring.