A CHARITY is asking for residents’ help so it can continue to run essential classes for young people with severe learning difficulties.

Autism Berkshire runs special relaxation classes for children with autism in Slough, between the ages of five and 17.

They have helped ease stress and anxiety for the youngsters since 2016 when they started.

However, funding for the classes maxed out in March this year and the charity is now applying for a £5,000 grant from Aviva’s 2017 Community Fund contest.

It needs as many votes as possible to get through to the final round so it stands a chance of securing the cash.

Parents say the classes bring a range of benefits, including better sleep, communication and concentration to their young ones.

Charlotte Parmley-Gibbs’ son Jack, eight, who is a pupil at Cippenham Primary School, has Asperger syndrome – a form of autism – and ADHD.

She said: “It was obvious after only a few weeks that it was helping him to calm down and there was a noticeable improvement with Jack’s sleep and he was sleeping through the night.

“That was the biggest improvement.”

Autism Berkshire’s chief executive officer, Jane Stanford-Beale, said: “There is keen competition for this funding, so we are asking people in Slough to register with Aviva and use their ten free votes to back our project and maximise our chances of winning the money.

“It takes just a couple of minutes to register to vote online and you get entered in a prize draw.”

For more information and to register to vote, visit www.avivacommunityfund.co.uk/voting/project/view/17-4485