Hi, my name is Caroline and I’m raising money for my 5 year old son Charlie. Charlie has severe autism which makes doing everyday things like going to school, the shops, or playing with friends really hard and overwhelming. Even a trip to his favourite restaurant McDonald’s is so overstimulating that we have to leave before eating. Most nights Charlie will be awake for 3 hours having woken from sleep and become distressed. Travelling a different route to usual can disorientate Charlie making him upset for the rest of the day. There is hope though! Earlier this year I applied for an Assistance Dog for Charlie. For the first time in 2 years the Autism Dogs Charity waiting list was opened to applicants. Out of 600 applicants, Charlie was one of the 25 to be selected! Autism Dogs Charity are the leading charity for Assistance Dogs in the UK. They are endorsed by the National Autistic Society, the International Assistance Dogs Agency and British Airways. The team breed, select, and then train dogs to be Assistance Dogs. Charlie’s dog will undergo advanced training in order to help Charlie feel less anxious and relaxed. The dog will be trained in Deep Pressure Therapy and meltdown awareness. With this support Charlie will be able to go to the shops, cafes, school and play with his friends. The dog also gets to sleep on Charlie’s bed so the friends get to have a good night’s rest together ready for fun in the morning. My fundraising journey feels quite challenging, this Assistance Dog will cost £15,000 but I am certain it is worth it. Charlie bravely faces the world everyday so I’m going to be brave too.
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