Liverpool lad needs your old phones to give him a voice

 

A Liverpool mum is urging people to answer her call for old mobile phones – as part of a fundraising scheme aimed at providing autistic children with iPads. 

Traci Morrissey is calling on Liverpudlians to donate unwanted handsets so that she can buy an iPad for her son Peter Bruffell, who is currently awaiting diagnosis for Autistic Spectrum Disorders and ADHD.

Two-year-old Peter cannot talk, which limits his ability to communicate and causes him to become agitated and frustrated – similar to a child with autism.

The scheme, run by autism charity, Hearts & Minds Challenge, enables families to exchange old mobiles for iPads. Just 165 mobile phones can be traded in for a brand new iPad, which can make a real difference to youngsters like Peter.

Traci, 32, from Orrell Park, said: “The Hearts & Minds iPad scheme is amazing because it will enable Peter to access learning across all areas and help him feel less frustrated. He can already show me things on my iPhone and he loves using computers, so if we get an iPad it will allow Peter to continue communicating with us in this way.

“I’d like to encourage anyone who may have old or unwanted mobiles lying around at home to get in contact and help transform my son’s life.”

Hearts & Minds Challenge is a charity dedicated to supporting children and families touched by autism. The organisation, which is supported by Mel Sykes, Keith Duffy and Paul Scholes, aims to raise the quality of life for individuals and their families affected by the disorder, by ensuring the provision of the highest standards in education, care and support.

To date, the charity’s fundraising activity has raised over £500,000 and has helped to educate and support many children and families.

Ian McGrath, founder of Hearts & Minds, said: “This scheme has already helped to transform the lives of over 219 families around the UK and we would like to see many more people benefit.

“The therapeutic benefits of using interactive, easy-to-use technology, such as an iPad, have now been widely recognised and really can make a difference. I’d like to encourage everyone to donate any old phones to help support Peter and his family.”

Mobile phones can be donated at Kids Connect on Moss Lane, Orrell Park, or please contact traci.morrissey@hotmail.co.uk to donate them directly to Peter’s family.

If you would like to find out more about the charity, please visit www.heartsandmindschallenge.org. 

Could an iPad help your child too?

If you live in Britain, simply collect 165 old mobile phones and the Manchester-based charity Hearts and Minds will exchange them for a new iPad.

Details here:

Website: : heartsandmindsphones.co.uk/
Facebook: facebook.com/HeartsAndMindsUK 

Twitter: @handmchallenge

Pinterest: Hearts and Minds

YouTube: HeartsAndMindsUK

Google+: Hearts and Minds