It’s all face paint and cupcakes
Autism charity opens new sensory garden
The sun shone for Reach Autism at the weekend as the group launched their new sensory garden in style.
The charity decided to hold a full fun day at their base at the Whitlawburn Resource Centre, opening their doors to the whole community.
With the day blessed with good weather, organisers were pleased at the turnout for the event, which featured a bouncy castle, face painting and other surprises.
Kim Jones, the head of Reach Autism, said: “It was fantastic. It was a huge success and we were blown away by the numbers.
“We were a bit worried about the weather but the sun shone all day and a lot of people arrived.
“We had cupcakes to eat, donated by Redburn farm, and Ponies Help Children were there. They are a therapy-based charity who help kids get their confidence built up by having them interact with animals so we had Button and Fudge there.
“There was a DJ and our original face painter cancelled at the last minute due to a family situation but luckily Ross Livingstone stepped in to help out. He was there for four hours solid and there was a queue a mile long for him.
“It was a really good day. We were all knackered at the end of it.”
Kim believes the new sensory garden will be a big boost to youngsters with autism, as well as other local kids.
She said: “We wanted the fun day to be open to all so that some of the local kids could get used to the sensory garden being there, that it is open to them as well.
“It will be a real benefit, having the garden there.
“It means a lot of kids, especially those with higher support needs, can be out there in the garden and using the mud kitchen, which will let them play with nature.”