Glen Hughes is creating William’s Den, transforming an overgrown plot at Throston Allotments, near Springwell School, into a safe and inclusive space where children can learn and play outdoors.
He has been inspired by his six-year-old son, William, who is autistic and joined Springwell last September.
Last month, Hartlepool Life reported that the project had been announced as a finalist in The Teesside Charity’s latest £25,000 Golden Giveaway – and asked for readers’ votes to secure as much funding as possible.
And thanks to your votes, the project has been awarded £1,000 from the charity – much to the delight of Glen.
He said: “I would like to say a big thanks to all the Hartlepool Life readers who voted for us. We were among some well-established CICs within the Tees Valley, so I was just pleased that we were even selected. So, to receive £1,000 is a great outcome and it will go towards resources for the Den. Thanks once again to everyone who voted.”
Glen, who is married to Lisa, 39, and also has another son Charlie, 13, says he hopes the model could be repeated across the town.
He is documenting the project’s journey via the William’s Den Facebook page with the aim of being open by late summer.
Anyone wishing to make a donation to William’s Den should please visit gofundme.com/f/williams-den-an-autistic-and-disabled-allotment.
