Aaron raises hundreds for autism charity
A YOUNG boy who was diagnosed with autism has raised more than £500 for a charity which has supported him.
Aaron Donnelly, 14, of Ullswater, from Macclesfield, has been eating fruit every day for two weeks and has so far raised £565 for Space4Autism.
He diagnosed with autism and ADHD when he was nine-year-old and part of his diagnoses means he finds it almost impossible to eat fruit and vegetables.
Aaron has heightened senses and the texture, taste and smell of fruit and vegetables is almost unbearable for him and makes his feel anxious.
This is the fourth time Aaron has faced his fear and has been raising money for the charity each time.
Since he started he has raised more than £3,000, which has gone towards buying a new pool table and he is now trying to pay for a new sensory carpet for the Mill Lane centre.
His mum Mirelle Donnelly told the Express that her son does it to support the charity which has given him so much.
She said: “He first came up with the idea because he wanted to give something back to Space4Autism because they have helped him so much to make friends.
“For him eating fruit and vegetables is like torture because it hurts his gums and makes his eyes water. Space4Autism have brought him out and he has got more confidence and he now knows that having autism is not a bad thing but a good thing.
“They have been amazing for him.”
But despite how hard it is for him, the mum-offour said Aaron insists on doing it every year.
She said: “It is his own choice. He ius adamant that he is going to do it every year.
“He forces himself to do it and has to psyche himself up when he does it.”
The teenager has decided to push himself a little further this year and has extended the challenge by two days.
Mirelle added: “I am really proud. I am a very proud mum I must admit, he is a great kid.”
To sponsor Aaron visit https://www.justgiving. com/fundraising/ aaronfruitchallange