A BASINGSTOKE family are raising money to support children with autism after facing a long struggle to secure their four-year-old son the support he needs.

Jade and Tom Grove, from Preston Candover, have spent the past 18 months fighting for a place at a specialist school for their son Barney, four, who has autism and is currently non-verbal.

Throughout the battle, Jade says Barney’s current pre-school and SEN playgroup have been invaluable in offering the family support.

Speaking to the Gazette, she said: “All through COVID we have had to fight for diagnosis, school place and therapy for him and this has all been done via phone call, zoom or email. It has been hard but working together we have managed to secure him the place that he needed to get the best help.

“Alongside his preschool, Barney and myself attend an SEN playgroup on a Thursday morning called Barn Tots which is run for special needs and disabled children to play in a safe place and for parents to chat and help each other.

“Without this group I would have been isolated as these are my only outlet for any problems we may have as a special needs family.”

She continued: “They are an incredible support network and are all run by volunteers. The last year would have been even harder without them.”

The grateful parents, who also have a daughter, now want to give something back and have decided to organise a fundraiser to create a special fund at the groups he attends, dedicated to children like Barney.

Jade says she hopes that in the future, the money raised will allow the organisations to buy things such as specialist toys, to go on courses and even bring in outside therapy if needed.

She added: “The preschool that Barney goes to is not funded by the government and is run as a charity so all new equipment they need has to be bought out of their budget for the year and, as I know very well, specialist equipment does not come cheap.”

The fundraiser consists of a raffle boasting an impressive 40+ prizes, donated by local businesses including the Wool Pack Inn, Purefoy Arms, Upper Farm Stalking Services, Milestones Museum, Smyths and many more.

Tickets cost £5 and will be drawn on Friday, July 16.

In addition, Barney will be walking a sponsored 5K on Sunday, July 11, and has already raised £1,000 for the fund, which will be split equally between Candover Valley Preschool and Viables Community Centre, where he attends the Barn Tots playgroup.

Jade said: “We know how hard it can be and how bad the bad days are, but we are doing all of this to just be able to pick someone up on one of those days and point or help them in the right direction and for them to feel heard, loved and proud of themselves.”

For more information, or to make a donation, visit: https://gofund.me/c8c7bd04