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. It ese ree ed as ers my ep nd ng for his 11, ed to ule ey nd no ng to eat dinner in front of the TV. But we thought that the time around the table was more important for us to talk.
“At first it was a bit dry, they didn’t know what to talk about. But now they go on and on about what happened at school.”
Peter got stuck in with kids at the centre, including little Leo, aged 10, who has been attending the Log Cabin since 2014.
Leo has very complex needs, including autism, OCD and ADHD, making it very difficult for him cope with everyday life.
Two highly-skilled workers are needed to support him at each session just to manage his emotions and behaviours.
Dan Yap, 33, the playground manager at The Log Cabin explains: “Leo’s keyworkers are part of a network, including school, social care and health care professionals.
“This network provides holistic approach to support the family and helps to make positive improvements.
“Apart from school, Log Cabin is the only other safe environment that he is able to access and socialise with his peers.
“It is important for us to support Leo to make and maintain friendships as well as have time to play.
“Money from Children In Need enables us to have those additional staff to ensure we can take in children with complex needs and make sure they are supported enough to have the best experience here. We have so much support here for everyone so all the staff and children enjoy their time here.
“There are a lot of children from deprived areas and this is their only dedicated space just for them.”
Salma, 10, has been coming to Log Cabin for more than three years. Dan tells us: “Salma’s mum works and she needs help inbetween school and the time she gets home.
“Salma is a mainstream child but she is so helpful in integrating the children with additional needs into the group. It’s about breaking down the barriers and it’s great to see children like Salma embracing diversity at such a young age.
Favourite
“Without this place there wouldn’t be any facility for Salma, so it’s nice for mum to know there’s a safe place for her to be.”
Salma says: “My favourite thing to do here is the trampoline outside. I don’t have a garden because I live in a flat, so it’s fun.”
Olufunke, meanwhile, has Global Development Delay. Without the Log Cabin her parents would find it difficult to find suitable childcare.
BBC Children In Need is currently supporting 2,600 projects in communities across the UK that are helping children and young people facing a range of disadvantages such as living in poverty, being disabled or ill, or experiencing distress, neglect or trauma.
Asda has been a partner of BBC Children In Need for 17 years and has raised £17million to help projects like this.
Asda customers can also support BBC Children In Need in store, including play cards or by picking up an exclusive £2.50 storybook Playtime With Pudsey, which follows the bear on various journeys to inspire children for their next playtime.
Peter admits his own children are in an envied position, but he adds: “It’s about how you treat others and how you are as a person. If you are wealthy and not a nice person, you won’t be liked. It’s so important to teach them this.
“It doesn’t matter how much money you have because if that’s the only thing that makes you happy then there will always be someone with more money. It’s better to be happy with what you have, regardless of wealth.
“Children In Need is a big event in our house. We all sit round, watch and donate. What I love is how giving the British public are. Each year they raise more money. It’s clearly a charity which touches a nerve with people and makes them want to help.” ¬Ê
Watch BBC Children In Need Appeal show tonight on BBC One, www.bbc.co.uk/ pudsey