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Leighton Buzzard Mencap is a charity close to my heart as William and I benefitted greatly from attending "opportunity Group"  - a volunteer led group for children with additional needs and their parents.

We attended 2 term time sessions a week for 2 years whilst William was a toddler. The place was a haven to us, a non judgemental environment where each of the volunteers had a child or family member with additional needs. William loved the sensory activities provided and I could chat (and often cry!) with other mums in the same position as me.

When William was a year old I had the realisation that He wasn't  meeting developmental milestones and things weren't quite "right". I can safely say I faced the most difficult time of my life. I raced around like a headless chicken - how could I fix this?, would I cope? Would the professionals listen to me?

Regular mother and toddler groups quickly became  a nightmare where I'd watch younger children overtake him developmentally - I was grief stricken.

Through a lovely lady at the local children's centre I was introduced to opportunity group. I breathed a sigh of relief when I walked through the door and we were greeted by a team of volunteers that were pleased to see us. I feel forever in debt to these wonderful mums and volunteers who helped me to see that although my journey with With William would be different and at times very challenging it would also provide me with incredible joy - I do believe that I am becoming a person I could never have been without him. I'm seeing the world through different eyes and where in the beginning I thought that something wasn't "right" ...I now know that everything is right with William just as he is.

We will continue to access support for William through Leighton buzzard Mencap as he gets older particularly with the holiday club they provide (see below for more details) I'd really love to raise some funds to help them carry on with their fantastic work.

"Holiday Club is three weeks of action packed activities for 8 to 17years with additional needs. Our aim is to build confidence and self esteem through a wide variety of music and drama and craft workshops and physical opportunities such as sailing, tobogganing, skiing, rock climbing to mention just a few. We have one to one student volunteers from our local sixth forms which as well as being a valuable experience for them, is a vital ingredient of the Club’s success. Also of course, this is a well deserved break for parents. Our main aim is to give these young people a fun and adventurous Club of their own and to give them opportunities that they might not otherwise be available to them. " Gaye Beattie - Leighton Buzzard Mencap.