REACH Lanarkshire Autism provides activities and support for children with autism and their families through weekly and holiday activities, emotional and practical support, and training for parents and carers.

Laura Anderson-Brown, Manager at REACH Autism, said: “Young people with ASD find it difficult to go to activities and often feel excluded in a mainstream environment, struggling to integrate and finding that busy and noisy activities increase already-high levels of anxiety.

“Educational equipment for the young people is vital but we don't always have the ability to purchase items.”

Through the council’s Community Wish List, the Glasgow office of education supplies company RM Resources heard of REACH Lanarkshire’s need and donated a range of sensory educational items from floor-puzzle shapes to play sand.

Sylvester Foley, the company’s Business Development Manager for Scotland, said: “Although at RM Resources we provide physical and curriculum supplies for schools and nurseries across a huge area, both in the UK and internationally, we were delighted to help such a worthy charity so close to home in the invaluable work they do.”

REACH Lanarkshire works with more than 600 young people, offering them a variety of face-to-face activities to promote positive mental well-being.

Laura added: “The new educational equipment helps our young people have great fun whilst learning, which is really important.

“This donation means the world to us, as we are a small charity. The equipment will be a great addition to our office and to our groups out in the community, and we are incredibly grateful for it.”

The Community Wish List is supported by the council’s Community Engagement Team and was created by the council to enable groups and organisations to make requests for specific support to benefit their local community.

Chair of the council's Finance and Corporate Resources Committee, Councillor Lesley McDonald, said: “This is another great example of the Community Wish List and the benefits it can bring to local communities and organisations.

“I would like to thank RM Resources and all of the other companies who have so generously donated so far.”

Local community groups can still submit a wish to the Community Wish List. To find out more, go to the council website, send an email, or call 0303 123 1017.