A TEENAGER is helping raise money to create a sensory garden for his brother who is so severely disabled he is unable to go on holiday with his family.
Seven-year-old Kurt Jackson was diagnosed with an extreme form of autism as a toddler, and has serious learning difficulties, meaning he has a very limited understanding and is unable to speak.
He has the development age of a six-month-old baby and needs 24-hour supervision.
His family is unable to take him on day trips so they are raising money to create an outdoor space with water features, a sand pit, soft play equipment and a trampoline to improve his quality of life.
Next month his older brother, Chase, who is 16, is doing a sponsored bungee jump from the 160ft viaduct at Whitby to raise funds.
Chase, who goes to Park View School, in Chester-le-Street, said: “As soon as I heard about it and found out it was for charity it was a no-brainer.
“As the days are getting closer, I am getting a bit more nervous but it is for charity for my brother.
“Other people have said they would be nervous, and they are surprised I am doing as I have never done anything like this before.
“Hopefully, it will help get him his sensory garden.”
The family is working with the Bradley Lowery Foundation and hopes to raise £15,000 to pay for the garden as well as safety equipment for Kurt.
The family has already raised over £10,000, with £800 coming from the bungee jump sponsorship alone.
Kurt’s mother Louise, 37, and father, Colin, 48, live in Perkinsville, near Chester-le-Street, and have another son, Myles, 11, who is also autistic.
Louise said: “We have already got a specialist bed and now we are fundraising for the garden.
“We are unable to go out because he cannot cope with the change in routine, the noise or other people.
“We can’t go to the beach, soft play or anything like that.
“Kurt can’t go out so we thought we thought we would create the garden for him so he can everything he likes at home and still enjoy life.”
To donate visit justgiving.com/campaign/asafespaceforkurt
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