23/09/2026
We had a great time at Aim High Festival 2026, and we were happy to support them with a small donation!
Events like this are what keep communities alive, and we can't wait to see what's next!
💗 WE DID IT — Aim High Festival 2026! 💗
Where do we even begin?
Aim High started as a conversation between me and Niven during one of our many “What if…?” moments. One slightly hare-brained idea somehow became this enormous, wonderful and occasionally terrifying undertaking!
We were told it would never happen. But, stubborn as mules, that only made us more determined — and today we proved that when a community comes together with enough generosity, enthusiasm and heart, something extraordinary really can happen.
To Social Society events., our incredible events team — thank you for organising absolutely everything, including an alarming amount of stuff we didn’t even know we needed!
From medical arrangements and HR to safety plans, paperwork and even anti-terrorism preparations — not a phrase we ever expected to use when we first said, “Shall we put on a little festival?” You have planned, worried, problem-solved, changed plans and somehow kept everything moving. We know it hasn’t always been easy, but you have been absolutely amazing.
To Sapphire Jade Matthewman, Heidi Granfield, Katie Henesy and Stuart Frankish, who were all crazy enough to jump aboard and help steer this enormous ship — thank you for the countless hours, the enthusiasm and for sticking with us through all the madness. By the time you realised quite how mad we were, it was already too late to escape!
To every volunteer who gave up some of their precious time — whether you helped for an hour, a day or throughout the whole journey — we simply could not have done it without you. Every job mattered, and every one of you helped make Aim High what it was.
And to our The Pink Builders — you have been absolute legends! You have packed, built, carried, organised, fundraised and thrown yourselves into everything we have asked of you, usually before we’d even finished asking. Keep hold of those pink T-shirts… you may need them again next year! 🩷🔨
Thank you to every performer who stepped onto our stage and shared their talent; every supplier who helped us piece this mammoth event together; every business that supported us; every sponsor who believed in our vision; and every stallholder who joined us.
So many people took our idea and made it their own, and that is what made Aim High so special.
And, of course, thank you to the brilliantly mad people who climbed aboard their hobby horses and galloped for glory! You made us laugh, brought the community together and raised vital funds for our work. We’re still not entirely sure what possessed you all — but we’re very glad it did. Some of you were worryingly competitive for adults riding horses made from sticks! 🐴🏆
On a very personal note, thank you to Niven Whatley for putting up with every one of my hare-brained ideas — especially the ones that begin with, “I’ve been thinking…” He has now learned that this phrase rarely ends with a quick or inexpensive suggestion.
This year has brought challenges we could never have anticipated. Watching you face your own cancer diagnosis and treatment while still giving so much to Ailsa’s Aim has made the reason behind everything we do feel even more real.
We now understand from another perspective just how frightening, exhausting and overwhelming cancer can be — not only for the person diagnosed but for the whole family around them.
It hasn’t been easy, but you are smashing it. I am so proud of you, and I couldn’t do any of this without you. 💙
And then there is our beautiful Ailsa — our reason, our inspiration and the little girl whose name and story began all of this.
Watching the wonderful little lady you are becoming fills us with more pride than we could ever put into words. You are kind, funny, strong, thoughtful and completely unique. You inspire us every day to keep going, keep helping and keep putting others first.
You are my muse, my reason and my saviour — and we are so incredibly proud of you. Although, as the charity’s namesake, we suspect you may eventually start invoicing us for image rights! 💗
Aim High was about community, inclusion and kindness. It was about creating a day that everyone could enjoy, regardless of their circumstances. We have been completely blown away by the generosity and enthusiasm of everyone involved.
As I type this, I am full of tears and pride. I am exhausted, emotional and completely overwhelmed, but more proud than I could ever put into words. We may also need several days of sleep and a very large glass of w**e!
Aim High was once just a “What if?”
Today, all of you made it happen.
So… shall we do it all again in 2027?
We already have the T-shirts… 🎡🎶💗
