A GROUP of young people with autism in Flintshire are doing their bit for the Ukraine appeal.

Options Autism is an organisation which provides care and education to children, young people and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties.

And boys from Option Autism's three local residential facilities in Mostyn and Holywell have been collecting items for children in Ukraine to make care packages. 

Despite the struggles a person with Autism/learning difficulties have, they have gone out of their way to show care and compassion for the people of Ukraine.

The Leader:

Another doing his bit is Riley-jay Gibson - known as RJ - who is an 11-year-old from Flintshire who has Autism Spectrum Disorder. 

He has been busy making teddy bears for children affected by the conflict in the Ukraine. 

The Leader: RJ has been making teddy bears for the children affected by the war in the Ukraine. RJ has been making teddy bears for the children affected by the war in the Ukraine.

In each teddy bag he has included a handwritten letter to the children receiving it - a year ago he couldn't read or write.

The Leader:

On Tuesday, RJ visited Option Autism's Ty Ni Cymru home in Mostyn - where he donated some teddies to the boys' collection. 

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RJ's mum, Vickie, a professional photographer, explained how it came about.

"Vicky Mackay (of Options Autism) is one of my clients who messaged asking to purchase a teddy but we offered them all to her for free and they invited us up for RJ to present them to the boys.

"It was very emotional watching the boys accept the teddies from  and seeing all the hard work they have put into this - what a team. Well done, boys."

The boys wore some handmade T-shirts kindly donated from Mark Batram at Bartex Design Art & Craft in Chester, and a private contractor, Graham Matthews, has offered to personally drive all the donations to the boarder of Ukraine. 

Vickie added: "I'd like to say a big thank you to all the staff, especially Vicky Mackay and James Crook, for inviting us up to be apart of this truly compassionate idea and for all your hard work."

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