THIS week the Ilkley Gazette says a big 'thank you' to all our generous readers who contributed to our appeal to help an autistic boy.

Our Robert's Ray of Hope campaign was launched last year with the intention of helping Robert Sime, of Gilstead Way, to reach his full potential.

His parents, Harry and Lorraine, wanted their son to undergo a special intensive treatment programme of one-to-one therapy but were having problems meeting the £18,000-a-year costs.

The treatment, called the Lovaas programme, was believed by Mr and Mrs Sime to give their son the best chance of living as normal a life as possible and enable him to go to a mainstream school.

They employed five local tutors to work with Robert in their home and were advised by the health authority to seek an educational statement for their son which would set out his difficulties and refer to the provisions required to meet his needs.

The process proved a long and costly affair for the family but after an appeal against an official ruling they won their case - meaning Robert's Lovaas treatment would be funded by the local authority.

While this process was going on, money from generous Gazette readers was being donated, fund-raising activities were going on and even people from as far away from Ilkley as Sheffield were contributing.

Various fund-raising activities including a sponsored canoe trip and an auction at the Wheatley Hotel were organised by the members of the Ilkley and District Round Table.

Together the Ilkley Gazette and the Round Table raised more than £8,000, of which almost £4,000 was passed to the Sime family to help with their costs which have exceeded £20,000.

Now their future costs are being met, Mr and Mrs Sime have asked for the remaining funds to be made available for the benefit of other local autistic children who may face similar difficulties. The fund will be administered by Round Table.

Mr Sime said: "We would like to thank everybody who has contributed to the campaign and we would like to place on record our thanks to the Ilkley Gazette and the many local companies and shops which have supported the fundraising events."

Anthony Elston, of the Round Table, said he was delighted by the support from the local community during the campaign and hopes that the fund will allow other local families bo benefit.

In the short term the fund has offered to contribute to the the costs of the recently set up local support group for parents with autistic children.

Already it is understood that at least two of the parents of recently diagnosed children, who are members of the support group, are now in the process of starting home based programmes similar to the one which Robert has been on for the past 18 months.

Requests for additional support should be made through the support group, care of Kevin Goddard on 01943 863343.

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