Children with autism and their families will be able to enjoy a spectacular fireworks display this year thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery and Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen.
Many families with children on the autistic spectrum find themselves excluded from such events because of noise and crowds triggering sensory issues in their youngsters and they feel lonely and isolated during national celebrations such as Bonfire Night.
But this year Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen is opening his top floor offices in Cavendish House on Stockton Riverside to offer a safe, controlled space for families to view the fireworks from on Sunday November 3.
Families will have front row seats to view the annual display organised by Stockton Council but won’t have to contend with the crowds, while the noise of the fireworks will be muted by being inside.
Funding from players of People’s Postcode Lottery has enabled Daisy Chain to put on a coach to and from the event as well as providing refreshments. Daisy Chain is this year celebrating ten years of funding from the People’s Postcode Lottery.
Neeraj Sharma, Daisy Chain chief executive, said: ‘We are very grateful to both Ben and players of People’s Postcode Lottery for supporting us to enable this event for our families. This will be the first year that we have been able to put on this event and it will be the first time that some of our families have ever been able to enjoy the fabulous display that Stockton Council organise every year. We know from talking to our families how lonely and isolating it can feel when they are unable to attend such events and give their children the experiences that other families can access.’
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, added: ‘The fireworks in Stockton are always spectacular and I expect this year’s display to be no different.
‘Everyone should be able to enjoy this wonderful event, and I am really pleased that we can give children and their families fantastic views of the show without them having to worry about the noise and crowds.
‘Opening my office up for the display will give some children with autism the chance to watch the fireworks for the very first time, and I am thrilled that, with the support of Daisy Chain and the wonderful work they do, we have been able to make that happen.
‘I hope they enjoy the fireworks as much as I do!’