When 12-year-old Henry Bourner discovered his favourite charity needed to raise £25,000 to fund a new Quiet Room, he decided to take on a fundraising challenge of his own.
Henry, who is autistic, goes to MAIN, based in Middlesbrough, every Thursday after school. MAIN supports children and adults who are autistic, neurodivergent, have a learning disability or complex needs, and the charity is urgently raising funds to build a Quiet Room to support children and young people in heightened emotional states.
Henry says: “I love learning about roads and postcodes and over the course of three days during the month of August, I am going to walk the length of some of the longest roads in Middlesbrough!”
So far, the kindhearted youngster has raised an incredible £985 towards the project!
Heather Whyman, CEO of MAIN, couldn’t be prouder of Henry and his family’s support of his fundraising challenge. She says: “Henry is more than just a fundraiser, he’s an inspiration!
“As a young autistic person who attends our Thursday Afterschool Club, Henry understands just how important it is to have a space to re-regulate, to breathe, and to feel secure. And now, he’s doing something extraordinary to help others find that same sense of calm.
“His energy, compassion and determination are helping us move closer to building the Quiet Room, one step, one donation, one moment at a time.”
And Henry isn’t the only one to step up to help the charity.
So far, MAIN has secured £3,000 from the Tees Foundation in grant funding and £160 from individual donors. MAIN has also been pledged £5,500 from Redcar and Cleveland Council, £5,500 from Middlesbrough Council, £1,500 from P+HS Architects and £250 from Atomix Educational Trust.
“With your help, we’re creating more than a room, we’re creating possibility,” says Heather.
“A space where anxiety can ease, senses can settle and young people can find the calm they need.
“We are so incredibly grateful for our community. This is such an encouraging start to our campaign to raise £25,000 for our new Quiet Room. This space will offer an environment where individuals can withdraw when feeling overwhelmed, allowing them time and space to re-regulate, manage emotions, and reduce stress in a supportive setting.”
The new space, which will be located within the MAIN site, has been designed by Pete Stead, director of P+HS Architects, who is also the trustee chair of MAIN. Using his design, the new space will be transformed from an empty storeroom to a peaceful haven by JPS Ltd.
Features of the room will include padded walls, door and floor made from Duratex, which is bite-proof, nail-proof and guaranteed for 15 years, and a digital skylight which can be changed at the push of a button to reflect a blue sky or relaxing hues.
To donate to MAIN for the Quiet Room, visit www.iammain.org.uk and Henry’s Just Giving page can be found at John Bourner is fundraising for MAIN.