MORE than £4000 was raised this week for a project to build a special playroom for a three-year-old boy who has autistic spectrum disorder. Sheena and Allen Lewis, of Tavistock, organised a 9.2-mile sponsored walk to raise funds for their son Paul?s Son-Rise Program which hopes to improve his condition and transform their family?s life through work done with him in the specially built room. A surprise lay in store for the walkers at the East Dart Hotel, Postbridge, where a party to celebrate the project was held. The Rencontres family from Essex, who originally told the Lewis? about the Son-Rise Program in America, turned up to greet them. Allen said he heard about the program through old school friend Freddie Rencontres whose 13-year-old son has autism. ?His father Freddie went to school with me in Worthing and I hadn?t seen him since 1965. I caught up with him on Friends Reunited. ?They went to America to the Son-Rise Program and told us we should do it.? The playroom project is a vital follow-up to the program?s five-day course Allen attended in Enfield recently. The family expressed thanks to all those involved in raising money as well as the local businesses who have donated materials and services for the project. It is hoped the playroom will be ready in May.
