A RYEDALE mother is helping to organise an event to thank the charity that has helped her family.

Lynn Dodds is hosting an Easter craft day tomorrow (Thursday) in Helmsley, to raise money for Ryedale Special Families (RSF), which supports families of children with disabilities, illness and special needs.

Her son Joshua, who suffers from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), attends the charity’s weekly junior club and Lynn said that as well as boosting his confidence the sessions had helped the whole family.

“Josh started at RSF’s junior club last year and it really has benefited him,” she said. “As well as doing wonders for his own confidence, he has been able to mix with other children with similar disabilities.”

Lynn, from Sproxton, said that as well as being hyperactive at times, Joshua could also become quite emotional and feel isolated.

“He used to find it difficult to talk about how he was feeling and would sit in his bedroom pulling wallpaper off the wall,” she said.

“The club has enabled him to make friends and enjoy social events with children his own age, which has helped and which he really enjoys.”

Lynn said RSF had also helped the rest of the family – her husband, Alex, and their two daughters, Lauren and Megan enjoying days out with Joshua. “It enables us all to have a fun day out together and meet other families with children in similar circumstances,” she said.

Lynn is organising the craft day with the help of her friend, Annika Dowson, who has raised thousands of pounds towards a bereavement suite at Scarborough Hospital, along with her husband, James, after their daughter, Gypsy, was stillborn in 2008.

Annika said: “Lynn has helped me with my fundraising and taken part in a lot of activities, including sponsored walks so I wanted to return the favour because RSF does so much in the community for those families.

“Children can come along for an hour or longer and there will be plenty of gluing, colouring, painting, and glitter, cutting – the perfect chance for kids to do crafts in the holidays and parents don’t have the mess to clear up.”

The craft day takes place in Helmsley Town Hall, from 10am to 3pm, and is suitable for children aged two to 13 (parents need to stay with younger children). The cost is £3 per child, including crafts and refreshments.