For many families, funding a specialist trike can feel out of reach at first. While grant funding plays an important role, it is not always enough to cover the full cost.
This is where crowdfunding can make a real difference.
Crowdfunding allows you to raise support from friends, family, and your wider community, helping you build your funding gradually and move closer to your goal. When combined with charity funding, it becomes a powerful and practical way to make a trike more accessible.
What is Crowdfunding?
Crowdfunding is often described simply as raising money online, but in reality, it is more than that. It is a way of sharing your story and inviting others to be part of a meaningful outcome.
Through platforms such as GoFundMe, JustGiving, or Crowdfunder, you can create a page that explains your situation, outlines your goal, and allows people to contribute. These platforms provide the structure, but the strength of crowdfunding comes from the story behind it and the people who connect with it.
Most successful crowdfunding efforts are not driven by one large donation, but by many smaller contributions that build over time. This is what makes it accessible, it allows people to support in a way that feels manageable to them, while still contributing to something significant.
Why Crowdfunding Works
Crowdfunding works because it allows people to connect with a real story and see the impact their support can have.
When someone understands not just what is needed, but what it will enable, greater independence, confidence, or participation in everyday life, they are far more likely to engage. It also removes the pressure of finding the full amount in one place. Instead, funding builds step by step, which makes the process feel far more achievable.
When to Use Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding can be introduced at different points in your funding journey.
Some families begin early, using it to build initial momentum while they explore grant funding options. Others use it alongside applications, particularly during waiting periods when responses may take time. It is also commonly used to close a remaining funding gap once part funding has been secured.
In practice, crowdfunding works best as part of a combined approach, supporting and strengthening other funding routes rather than replacing them.
Setting Up Your Crowdfunding Page
Setting up a crowdfunding page is straightforward, but taking the time to do it well can make a noticeable difference.
It starts with choosing a platform that feels easy to use and widely trusted. From there, setting a clear and transparent funding target helps people understand what you are working towards and how their contribution will help.
The most important element is your story. A strong page clearly explains who the funding is for, what challenges are currently being faced, why a trike is needed, and what difference it will make. Keeping this simple, honest, and easy to follow is far more effective than trying to include too much detail.
Including photos, where appropriate, can help bring your story to life and make it easier for people to connect with your situation.
Sharing Your Page and Building Momentum
Once your page is live, sharing it is what drives progress.
Most campaigns begin with support from people who already know you, friends, family, and close networks. Their early contributions help build momentum and encourage others to get involved.
As your story is shared more widely, it can reach new audiences through social media and community networks. Each share increases visibility and creates new opportunities for support.
It’s also important to keep your page active. Sharing updates, celebrating progress, and thanking supporters helps maintain momentum and keeps people engaged in your journey.
If you’re unsure what to post or how to structure your updates, you can read our guide to Facebook fundraising tips, which walks you through how to share your story effectively and build support over time.
Practical Tips for Success
The most effective crowdfunding campaigns are usually the simplest.
Keeping your message clear and focused helps people quickly understand your situation and why their support matters. Rather than concentrating on technical detail, it is more powerful to explain the real-life impact the trike will have, how it will improve independence, enable participation, or support wellbeing.
Consistency also plays an important role. Crowdfunding is not a one-time action, but something that builds over time. Regular updates and continued sharing help maintain visibility and keep your campaign moving forward.
It is also worth remembering that not everyone will be able to donate, and that’s completely fine. Encouraging people to share your page can be just as valuable, as it helps extend your reach and introduce your story to new audiences.
Combining Crowdfunding with Other Funding
Crowdfunding is most effective when used alongside other funding sources.
In many cases, charity funding will contribute part of the cost, while crowdfunding helps build or complete the remaining amount. This combined approach allows you to move forward more steadily, rather than relying on a single outcome.
It also gives you more control over the process, allowing you to continue making progress while waiting for funding decisions.
