Hi everyone. As many of you know, last week a fire destroyed our home. We are so grateful that the whole family are safe and well, but the aftermath has left us reeling. Sadly, the fire started in Ben's bedroom, and everything inside it was destroyed. Unfortunately, we also discovered that night that our insurance covered just the building, and not the contents.

Ben has Autism, ADHD and a learning disability. The items in Ben's room were more than just possessions to him, but things that helped him manage his world. They gave him familiarity and comfort, and made him feel safe. He would carry specific items with him when out to help him feel more confident. He adored his collections of figures and books, games, DVDs and video tapes of his favourite things, like Postman Pat, Disney Princesses and Super Mario.

Ben's room was his safe space. While he was happy to spend time with us and others, he would often retreat to his room for a time to regulate and ‘recharge' by being amongst all his safety things.

Since the fire, we have been staying in temporary accommodation. Ben appears to be coping well, but we know he is confused and anxious inside. While we are so grateful to be safe, we have found ourselves in the position of trying to replace his essentials and the special items that help him feel safe, secure and at home again.

We have been completely overwhelmed by the kindness of our neighbours, our friends, and the wider community. We’ve had so many people ask how they can help, which is why we’ve set up this page. Any funds raised will go directly toward replacing Ben’s essential items and helping us get him back to a place of comfort and stability.

If you are able to contribute, we would be so incredibly grateful. If you aren't in a position to donate, simply sharing this link would mean the world to us.

Thank you for being part of our support system during this time