THE mum of a three-year-old autistic boy from Winsford has described a ‘godsend’ donation that came from money raised from River Island’s 5p plastic bags.

Little Harrison Briers from Winsford has Autistic Spectrum Disorder and as a result is ‘non-verbal’ and has no awareness of danger and would run off without being aware of potential consequences.

Because Harrison would often release himself from his car seat during journeys, his mum, Annmarie Briers was desperate for specialist equipment that would cost £1,800.

“I’d got to the stage where I just didn’t want to go out because I was concerned about Harrison’s safety,” said Annmarie. “It’s not always possible to have two adults with him, but myself and husband Paul were finding it very difficult to travel with Harrison alone because he would wriggle out of his old car seat.”

With Bag Levy funding from River Island in Crewe, charity Newlife has given Harrison a specialist car seat and buggy.

Annmarie added: “Shortly after we were told Harrison would be getting his new specialist buggy we took him, in his old standard pushchair, to the Trafford Centre in Manchester.

"We are hyper vigilant but I was paying for something and Paul was holding the buggy when he looked down and said ‘Where’s Harrison?’ It was a Bank Holiday and packed in the shopping centre and I felt my blood run cold.

"Security were alerted and fortunately he was found, three minutes later, on an escalator trying to climb over the side. Harrison is non-verbal so anyone could have walked off with him.

“I wouldn’t go out of the house after that until the new buggy arrived.”

A friend who also has a child with disabilities had told Annmarie about Newlife and the work the charity does in Cheshire. Annmarie gave the Newlife Nurse Helpline a call and she was talked through the charity’s equipment grant application process.

“The nurse was so understanding and I was surprised at how straightforward it was,” said Annmarie.

“Finding out about Newlife was a godsend – I don’t know how we would cope without the equipment now.”

Both pieces of equipment have specialist safety features, and the car seat has a turntable base to make it easier to get Harrison in and out of the vehicle ‘on days when he doesn’t want to co-operate.’

Sheila Brown, Newlife Foundation CEO, said: “As local authority budget cuts continue to bite, more and more families are turning to charities like Newlife for specialist equipment which can help transform young lives.

"Having the national support of River Island is an enormous boost for us.”