#SmileForBenjamin: Wiltshire Family Launch Selfie Campaign to Fund Life-Changing Mobility Aid.

A Wiltshire family has launched a campaign to raise £27,000 for a specialist mobility device to help their ten-year-old son, who lives with cerebral palsy, epilepsy and cortical vision impairment.

Benjamin Maddern, from Swindon, cannot sit unaided, crawl or walk. His parents say his determination and smile inspired Benjamin’s Smiles, a fundraising effort run with children’s charity Just4Children (charity no. 1164473).

The initiative aims to fund an Innowalk, a motorised device that enables supported movement to help Benjamin exercise his legs, build strength and support heart and lung function. The family hopes access to the equipment could reduce the need for future operations.

Benjamin’s mum said the support so far “has been overwhelming and we are so close to our target”, adding that continued fundraising is vital to ensure he can access therapies and equipment as he grows. The family set up Benjamin's Smile in 2018 when they realised how much equipment and therapy costs. 

“We’re so proud of how far Benjamin has come,” she said. “He faces daily challenges, but he never stops smiling, and that smile has become a symbol of hope for our whole family. We will never let his diagnosis define his future and we hope that by sharing our campaign we can also raise awareness for other families"

How the selfie campaign works

Supporters are invited to join the #SmileForBenjamin challenge throughout November:

1. Snap a smiling selfie.
2. Upload it via benjaminssmile.org.uk following the on-screen instructions.
3. Share on social media using #Benjaminssmile and #SmileForBenjamin to encourage others to take part.
4. Donate if you can via the campaign’s fundraising page. All contributions help Benjamin access the Innowalk and ongoing therapy.

A large Smile Collage featuring supporter selfies will be unveiled at a Wiltshire venue in early 2026.

Get your school or workplace involved

The campaign welcomes schools, clubs and businesses to run dress-bright days, selfie walls or team challenges, then upload a group photo and donate. Toolkits and sponsorship options are available on request.

Sponsorship opportunities

Local businesses can support through three tiers:

• Bronze (£100+) – name featured on the campaign website and thank-you post.
• Silver (£250+) – name on event banner plus social media shout-out.
• Gold (£500+) – logo on the collage, press materials and event assets.

Where donations go

Funds raised will first go towards the Innowalk. Any surplus will support Benjamin’s ongoing therapy and specialist equipment needs.

Find out more / take part: benjaminssmile.org.uk • facebook.com/BenjaminsSmile • email [email protected].