Ryan was given an autism diagnosis as he started secondary school and has not had an easy ride. Being in and out of hospitals both locally and in London, Ryan has faced challenge after challenge, but still found the will to raise money for charity.  

Throughout the turbulent few years he’s had, Ryan took time to sit and think about who has helped him, how they’ve helped and how he can say thank you. Collating a pool of organisations, Ryan decided he was going to fundraise however due to his health couldn’t complete any challenges himself.  

As a result: 

• He organised a cake sale which raised £200, 

• He arranged for me to do the London Marathon,  

• He arranged for two members of the family and his friends two mothers to do a skydive,  

• He arranged a charity Golf Day, 

• He text and asked people to donate. 

• He gave a speech around the personal effects of autism, eating disorders and his mental health to a forum of children (multi schools council and Essex Young People's Council), teachers and social services amongst others. 

• He arranged and got prizes to auction off, including signed football shirts, stadium tours, and spa days 

Ryan chose to give some of the money to Autism Anglia as he had received support from our Advocacy Team. Autism Anglia’s North East Essex Advocacy Service offers independent, impartial and confidential advice and support to families, carers, autistic children, and young people, age 0 -25 years, in Colchester and Tendring. 

This includes help to navigate both the clinical aspect of their care and non-clinical services such as general or individual advice about their condition and educational, social and financial support. 

Because of his health, Ryan missed the majority of years 7 & 8 but this has not stopped him raising money for a number of organisations. He has showcased exceptional levels of compassion, gratitude, and organisational skills at such a young age, fighting multiple personal battles at the same time. This type of person does not come around often and to still have the drive to help others after facing such adversity is something we should all admire. 

Ryan enlisted the help of his family and friends when planning events and raising money, with his dad playing major roles in completing challenges. 

Ryan’s father says: 

“Ryan is aware he has a lot of work to do and needs to concentrate on himself a bit more but he has raised in excess of £6,000 to date which has been split amongst the charities. 

All this was done during a very difficult period of his life and whilst trying to understand his own illnesses and recover.” 

A huge well done and thank you to Ryan for all of his help, it’s people like you that allow us to continue our work and keep supporting autistic people in our region.