Harry goes the extra mile for charity

Instead he got his walking shoes on, put his best foot forward, and got walking to raise valuable funds for local charity Autism NI. And during the month of June he raised an amazing £1480 by walking 112km.

“The challenge is to walk, run, cycle or swim an additional 30 kilometres in the month of June, although I think we will have to make this a personal target of 100k in 30 days,” explained Harry’s mum Cheryl. “Since Harry’s School closed in mid March due to the pandemic, Harry has been walking 2.5 - 5 kilometres everyday without fail thanks to the glorious weather, accompanied by me or with his Dad Denver, and not forgetting Bailey the dog.

“This daily walk along the quiet country roads from our house has quickly become Harry’s new ‘routine’. We have found the daily exercise has been of huge benefit in regulating Harry’s emotions and providing him the comfort of a familiar routine, grounding him to the safety of his outdoor surroundings which he seeks out each day.”

Harry is a Primary 6 pupil at Brookfield Special School, Moira, where he has attended since receiving his diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Delayed Speech and Language Skills and Moderate Learning Difficulties during January 2014, when he was aged just three and a half, and he has proved to be a very popular pupil.

“Brookfield School, along with the support services offered by Autism NI has been instrumental in Harry’s continued development and progression,” continued mum Cheryl. “Harry faces many challenges each day due to his Autism, but as a family we have learnt how to manage these challenges in a positive way and how to take the highs with the lows. Harry is the most joyous boy you could ever meet. From a baby his infectious giggle has brightened the dullest of days and we wouldn’t change anything about him for the world.”

Harry, Cheryl, Denver, and Bailey the dog have loved getting out into the countryside near their home during the lockdown and being able to raise money for such an important charity has been an added bonus. “The daily walk has without a doubt been the most beneficial activity for Harry during Lock-down and this long extended time away from School and all things familiar. March 17th 2020 will be remembered by me, and for many others, as the day everything just stopped,” admitted Cheryl. “For Harry this meant no school, no school bus, no friends, no teachers, no dedicated learning, no school dinners, no speech therapy, no occupational therapy, no physio. All these supports which Harry requires to develop all came to a end. For any child, but particularly a child with Autism, this is a particularly challenging time and we are so proud of how Harry has coped with this huge unplanned and unexplained change in his life.

“As home schooling has proved a particular challenge, our daily walks with Harry have provided the ideal opportunity to learn on the move. We have been singing and counting as we go, making learning fun and practicing social skills by getting to know lots of our neighbours along the way.

“Harry turned 10 on June 1 and I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to join with Autism Ni and their 30th birthday celebrations by participating in this challenge and helping to raise much needed funds, but also as a way of saying thank you for the support their services have provided to Harry and our family as a whole.”

If you would like to make a donation, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/cheryl-watterson