Madam,

I am writing in response to the letter from Jo Kennaugh of DASH.

The services DASHprovides have been a lifeline for our family since our son, who has learning disabilities, was in primary school. He has enjoyed playschemes, away weekends and, now he is older, the weekly youth club Frenzabout.

The dedicated staff of DASH have always worked with him even through times of challenging behaviour, to develop his confidence and independence through stimulating and fun activities.

He always looks forward to meeting the friends he has made through DASH activities.

Opportunities like this can be very difficult for young people with learning disabilities to access.

Dash benefits me as a parent too, as having a child with additional needs can be physically and emotionally draining.

I can relax when our son is at DASH, knowing he is having fun in a safe and caring environment.

We are very aware of how lucky we are to have these services, as we know of many parents in a similar position in other parts of Wales who don’t have access to the support of a charity like DASH.

However, in these times of austerity finding funding for DASH'S work is becoming harder.

I would like to express my personal thanks to the Rotary Club and everyone who has made donations to DASH.

I and others involved with Dash are organising a fundraising art auction featuring the work of many local artists which will take place at the Morlan in Aberystwyth on 16 June.

Please come along and help us raise money to help some of Ceredigion’s most disadvantaged young people to continue to benefit from DASH'Sservices.

Yours etc,

Kate Rhys, Pontrhydfendigaid.

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