A mother who launched a fundraising campaign to allow her son, who has Asperger syndrome, to go on Israel tour has expressed her gratitude, after raising the necessary money via community donations.
Janine Greyman, 42, launched a campaign in May to raise £3,000 for a support worker to accompany her son Ryan Isaacs to Israel with youth movement FZY.
She said that the 16-year-old had previously been told he would not be able to fulfil his dream of going on tour because of FZY's lack of funding, although it is understood that the obstacle was finding the right support worker to accompany him.
After appearing in the JC last month, Ms Greyman received an influx of support, with donations pouring in. JCoSS governors provided the outstanding £300 last week, meaning final contracts could be signed.
Ms Greyman said she had been "in tears every night reading all the messages of support".
She said: "When you have kids with special needs, you are always the one left out. It has been so wonderful to receive so much support. I really want to say a massive thank you to everybody."
The mother-of-three has employed a social worker through Mencap, a London-based charity that helps people with learning disabilities. The worker has met Ryan and they will travel to Israel together.
"Ryan is just over the moon," Ms Greyman said. "He is so relieved."
Joel Jacobs, FZY executive director, said: "I can't comment on an individual case but we hope the community knows that cost is always secondary to sourcing the most appropriate support for FZY tour participants with additional needs."
