A CHARITY has stepped in to help a family link up with a US institute which could help them cure their four-year-old autistic son.

Jake Burgess's parents have already travelled from their home in Catterick Village to the Options Institute, in Massachusetts, for special training in caring for youngsters with the condition.

But, without access to the Internet, they would have been cut off from further guidance in the months to come.

However, the Richmond Meet committee, which arr-anges a fundraising spectacular in the town every year, has come up with the cash to pay for a computer, offered at a special rate by North Yorkshire firm, WebSites Plus.

On Saturday, the computer was installed in Jake's home.

Richmond Meet president, Heather Clark, said: "When we heard of the needs of this family we welcomed the opportunity to support Jake.

"This donation will not only reduce the cost of their phone calls - they will pay the local rate instead of an international call - but we have also learned that e-mailing the institute avoids consultation fees. We hope our efforts will improve the family's quality of life.''

Jake's mum, Claire, said: "I'm delighted. The computer will be a great help keeping us in touch with the Options Institute. It will be so reassuring to know we can contact them whenever we need advice or guidance. Once again, I am stunned by the generosity of local people.''

However, there is still more work to do for a fundraising committee formed from the family's friends.

It is estimated they need about £18,000 to send Jake to the Options Institute for an accurate assessment of his condition, which is not available in the UK.