Brave Billy rises to the challenge of charity forest trek
AYOUNG schoolboy with autism challenged himself to raise money for a charity that helps others with the condition.
Billy Styles, seven, from Macclesfield, walked 5km around Macclesfield Forest with his family and has so far collected around £900 for the National Autistic Society.
He was diagnosed at the age of five and - after attending Marlborough Primary all week - can often struggle to leave the house at weekends.
But raising money for a worthy cause provided Billy with the motivation to get out and about.
Mum Fi Maxwell said: “Quite often leaving the safety of the house is a mission but he had the incentive.
“Billy loves numbers and he could see the amount raised changing on the fundraising page and that gave him motivation.
“While walking we wore (National Autistic Society) t-shirts that were
a reminder of why we were doing it and people would stop us on the way so Billy could explain.”
Joining Billy and Fi on the walk were his sister Poppy and dad Phil Styles.
The family, who live in
the Kenilworth Road area, has found the information and support from the National Autistic Society a big help since Billy’s diagnosis.
Their walk coincided with World Autism Acceptance Week.
Fi added: “Billy has been amazed and delighted seeing the amount raised go up and has loved reading the comments people have left.
“We are incredibly proud of him, we are every single day, but after dealing with a week at school then challenging himself with this we are especially proud,” she added.
To donate visit https:// waaw.autism.org.uk/fundraising/philipstyles.