Denmead parents call for donations to help build autism children's centre

Aaron and Rachael Pearson are looking to raise £50,000 for the Autism Inclusion Centre.

The couple, from Denmead, have a son with the condition and want to expand on Rachael's charity Autism Isolation No More which she runs from their front room.

The centre will create a place where children with autism and their families can go to have fun and relax.

Aaron and Rachael's plans come just days after the pair were both successful in winning national awards.

Rachael won the Positive Role Model for Gender Award at the National Diversity Awards after she turned their living room into a sensory space for youngsters with autism.

Meanwhile, Aaron won £10,000 worth of building materials after winning Jewson's Building Better Communities Trade Hero 2018 award.

Rachael said: '˜We want to try and buy a piece of land so we can build a log cabin and move all our services from our living room there.

'There will be a place for all the sensory equipment and children and families can go in and relax, parents can chat and join in a play session and stay for longer.

'At the moment I can only work with families on an individual basis but I want to hold group events. That's beneficial for the children because social interaction is more enjoyable for them.'

A number of Rachael's family members are autistic including her two sons, her brother and nephew.

She added: '˜I saw the lack of support my mother had with children with autism, it affected my life. If she had support there are so many things that could have been different.

'As a parent of a child with autism you can feel lonely, the sleep deprivation is awful.

'I provide support for parents and want them to know they're not alone, I'll never judge.'

Rachael and Aaron will use the prize from Jewson to help start the log cabin but need funds to get it off the ground.

Aaron said: '˜We've got the building materials now we're basically trying to get the project off the ground.

'˜It's a mission we both have and it would fulfil us.'

Anyone wishing to donate should visit autismisolationnomore.com.