A PERSONAL experience of autism spurred the leader of a Burnham group to raise money for Brent Knoll centre helping people with the condition.

Andrew Taylor, president of the Burnham and District Lions Club, was determined to collect cash for the National Autistic Society's Somerset Court Service because his ten-year-old nephew Jack has the disability.

The Lions man was at the Harp Road premises yesterday (Tuesday) to hand over £1,000 to help fund a brand new Communication and IT Training Unit.

Andrew said he had been overwhelmed by the quality and variety of opportunities available for service users and felt compelled to help the NAS pay for their work.

"Children with autism grow up to be adults with autism, yet it can be difficult for people over 18 to access support," he said.

"Burnham and District Lions were delighted to help Somerset Court continue enabling adults with autism to live their lives with as much independence as possible."

The centre was founded in 1974 and is dedicated to helping some of the estimated 588,000 people who have autism in the UK.

Characteristics of the condition are difficulties forming social relationships, problems with verbal and non-verbal communication and the development of strong narrow obsessive interests.

The Lions raised the £1,000 through a Christmas collection at Tesco's Burnham store and the unit they funded will use technology as a stimulus for life long learning.

Somerset Court service users will be able to develop cognitive, practical, life and communication skills using touch screen and visual teaching methods and e-mail facilities and many will even be involved in making video records of their lives.

Brian Currie, general manager of Somerset Court, said: "The new Communication and IT Training Unit will help our adults to reach their full potential through developing new skills and promoting their confidence in engaging with the outside world.

"We are very grateful for the Lions' generous donation, which will enable us to extend our IT facilities across the service."