A major Christmas appeal has been launched by The Chronicle's Sunshine Fund to help children with complex needs.

The fundraising campaign, launched ahead of International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Sunday, December 3, aims to shine a spotlight on some of the families the charity has supported with equipment, advice and guidance. Figures show that 16 million people in the UK live with a disability - and 11% of these are children.

According to research conducted by Newcastle University, 1 in 57 children in the UK are on the autistic spectrum. As of June 2023, there were 143,119 patients with an open referral for suspected autism - 83% of these referrals had been open for at least 13 weeks.

• Read More: The Chronicle Sunshine Fund beach day sees charity take families 'back to our roots' for sun, sand and surf

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Among the children supported by The Chronicle's Sunshine Fund is four-year-old Harry Havelock, from Newcastle. Harry is a very happy little boy whose favourite things to do are bouncing on trampolines and being pushed on swings.

Harry’s parents, Lauren and Richard, describe him as very pure, in that "he likes what he likes and doesn’t like what he doesn’t like". He likes to get on and do his own thing, never complains, he isn’t mean and he never intentionally misbehaves. "He’s just himself, he’s just Harry," they add.

Harry has autism, delayed motor skills, sensory processing difficulties and PICA (eating non-edible items), amongst other additional needs. He received his official diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder on July 26, 2023.

The Sunshine Fund team met the Havelocks at their summer-themed mermaid sensory session. As well as providing activities for children with additional needs to get involved in, these family events also give parents the opportunity to talk to Team Sunshine, whether it’s for advice or guidance, or to simply have a friendly chat.

Families co-ordinator Bev Wright and strategic partnerships officer Rachel Kaczmar sat with Richard and Lauren for an hour, and listened to their story. The parents voiced their concerns about Harry’s Educational Health Care plan (EHCP) and wanted to know “what do we do now?”

Bev advised that they contact SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service) immediately, as well as providing details to someone who could offer more specialist advice. The family did what was suggested and ended up going through mediation, and with the help of SENDIASS, had the EHCP rewritten, which was when a new school was recommended.

Harry finally got a place at a specialised school for children with autism, which he started on November 6. His school days are tailored to him and provide the support he needs, it allows him to be himself and engage at his own pace, and he will be looked after until the age of 18.

And what does Harry think? According to his dad, “he absolutely loves it. He likes riding the bus to and from school every day, as he can see everything go by. They have swimming, trampolining (rebound therapy) which Harry is very much enjoying. It is a huge relief that he is now in the right place for him. If we hadn’t talked to Rachel and Bev on that day, I don’t think Harry would be where he needs to be today.”

The charity says Sunshine Families events are so important for children with additional needs but also for the families. The charity puts on several events throughout the year, which can range from sensory sessions and messy play, to trips out to the farm or cinema. It’s their mission to provide activities where cost and accessibility aren’t barriers, and to allow families to make special memories in an inclusive, comfortable environment.

They also build a community and allow families to meet other like-minded parents, to create friendships. Since meeting the Havelocks at the mermaid session, Team Sunshine have met them at a couple of other family events and the charity says "their confidence as a family has visibly grown".

The last time was at a Halloween sensory day at the Metrocentre Community Hub, just one week before Harry started at his new school. There were a variety of activities which allowed Harry to interact at his own pace, whilst having the option to dip in and out as he also wanted to walk around the shopping centre.

In August, the family attended The Sunshine Fund’s beach day at South Shields, where families were invited to spend the day exploring and playing on the beach, as well as participating in surf sessions. There was something for everyone with group surf sessions and 1-on-1 adapted surf sessions with a team of highly trained professionals from South Shields Surf who use specialist equipment. Beach Access North East provided beach-friendly wheelchairs to test out, which Harry enjoyed whizzing around in.

Richard explained how Harry has a younger brother, one-year-old Theo, who is also on the pathway for an autism diagnosis. The pair are very different in personality, and because of this it can be tough to find an activity that focuses on Harry and provides the best environment for him.

“I would say the beach day was the most fun Harry has ever had being outside with others. He absolutely loved it – we were both emotional afterwards because of how great it was to see him this happy. The events in general are great as there isn’t any judgement, something that can happen when we’re out at the park or Metrocentre, or with friends and other children.”

It was here that Bev encouraged them to apply for equipment that isn’t available through the NHS or local authority. She explained that the equipment could be anything that provides enrichment and improves quality of life.

The family went home and looked through the charity’s website, watched their application tutorials, and applied for a fort/swingset for their garden, which the family have made as safe as possible using what money they have. The swingset costs a total of £501.98.

The charity says Harry loves playing on swings, but just like so many children, visiting public parks can be an overwhelming, overstimulating experience and just isn’t possible for some families. "Having somewhere he can play at home is massive for him because it will also help him to self-regulate and release energy," the team adds.

"The Sunshine Fund believes that every child deserves the chance to have fun and play, and it’s these items that provide enrichment that can have just as much impact on a child’s day-to-day life as any other piece of equipment. This is just one of so many families the charity have got to know and support, and the Havelocks' journey is just one of many that The Sunshine Fund have been a part of. It’s success stories like these that show the impact the charity really has.

"Harry’s swingset is one of a list of outstanding items on the charity’s waiting list. The most recent equipment round costs upwards of £30,000, and we need £320,000 each year to provide hundreds of disabled and terminally ill children in the North East region with the equipment they desperately need.

"However, as a small charity that receives zero statutory funding, the Sunshine Fund relies solely on the generosity of Chronicle readers to continue their work, and to fund these items to the babies, children and young adults who are waiting so patiently for their equipment. Children like Harry.

"So please, if you can spare anything this Christmas, consider making a donation to The Sunshine Fund, and make an impact this festive season. If you or somebody you know relates to the journey this family have been on, Team Sunshine are here to help."

Visit https://www.thesunshinefund.org or call the Families & Applications hotline on 07593 298 541. You can make a donation online at https://www.thesunshinefund.org/donate. You can also donate by bank transfer using the following details:

HSBC: The Chronicle Sunshine Fund

Sort: 40-34-45

Account: 91145622