Coffee and cupcakes raise funds for Lisburn Branch of Autism NI
Rebecca with her Mum, Denise, at the coffee and cupcake event.
LOCAL Mum Rebecca Dyer recently hosted a coffee and cupcake day at her Lisburn home to raise funds for the Lisburn Branch of Autism NI.
Rebecca's son Zach, 4, has autism and since his diagnosis Rebecca has attended the Lisburn Branch of Autism NI for parents meetings, fun days and events.
Rebecca explained: "The coffee and cupcake day was my Mum Denise's idea. She saw the support that Autism NI Lisburn Branch has given to Zach and me and she wanted to do something to help raise funds for all the events that are planned throughout the year."
Rebecca continued: "My Mum worked well into the night to prepare the cupcakes for the day. We had a great turn out and not only did we raise a total of £674.31, we also raised awareness of autism which is an invisible disability. I just hope that if anyone out there sees a child who they might label as 'misbehaving' they will stop to think, is that child having difficulty of making sense of the world around them?"
She added: "I would like to thank Jean McDonald from Sydney, Australia who sent over a handmade quilted throw which we raffled and which raised £240 in itself. I would also like to thank everyone who donated prizes for the raffle and my friends and family for helping on the day, but most of all I would like to thank my Mum for all her help, support and of course her delicious cupcakes."
Every year over 300 children in Northern Ireland are diagnosed with Autism and this figure is set to steadily increase in the future. All funds raised by Autism NI remain within Northern Ireland and are used to improve the lives of those affected by this hidden disability. The next meeting of the Lisburn Branch will take place on Monday September 12 at Trinity Community Venue, Knockmore Road at 7.30 pm all parents, carers, and professionals are welcome.
To find out more about Autism you can contact Autism NI on (028) 9040 1729 or visit www.autismni.org.
Ulster Star
02/09/2011
