This week, we’d like to help a 9 year old boy called Niko, and his family.

Niko has an autism diagnosis. He has been expressing suicidal thoughts and his parents are worried sick. He also has very violent outbursts, hurting his parents and causing a lot of damage to the home. He has been referred to child mental health services, and also a charity that helps parents deal with physical abuse from children.

It’s a terrible situation and they are really struggling.

Niko’s mum has a condition that causes her joints to dislocate, so she lives in crippling pain. She has attempted suicide in the past, and still struggles with her mental health. She was managing to work part-time, but has just made the tough decision to quit so she can look after Niko and her own health as well. It will leave them with less money, but it’s become too difficult to carry on.

Niko’s dad has a huge amount on his plate. He has a low paying and unreliable job, and is doing his best to look after everyone, but their support worker told us they have reached crisis point.

Health workers have recommended a lot of sensory items for Niko, as well as some outdoor equipment, which the family can’t afford. We’d like to provide this for them, as well as a tablet and some special apps for Niko, to help him feel calmer.

If we can, we’d also like to buy his mum with some specialist shoes and a mobility aid, to help ease her pain.