THE parents of an autistic youngster are hoping a fun day will help them complete their 18-month fundraising mission.
Paul and Sandi Collins staged an open day at Redcar Leisure Centre to try to raise the outstanding cash needed to send their son to America.
Four-year-old Ben is taking part in an educational play therapy scheme, devised in the USA, and has to pay a final visit to Florida to consolidate his treatment.
Volunteers set out last January to raise the £9,000 required to get him there, and Mr and Mrs Collins hope the latest event will be the last.
Mrs Collins said: "Ben has made incredible progress in a very short time through the therapy techniques myself and Paul have learnt, but he needs access to this specialist course to help him keep developing.
"So many people have given so much of their time and energy to help our fundraising - individuals like leisure centre manager Phil Spencer and organisations like Cleveland Police and the Royal Military Police."
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