Pupil at The Shires School in Stretton to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support

A 17-year-old is determined to give back to the people who help and support him every day.

Ben, a residential pupil at The Shires School in Stretton, will be organising and taking part in a sponsored walk round Rutland Water.

He will be accompanied by his peers and teachers from The Shires, which is a specialist school for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

The aim of the walk, which will take place on July 16, is to raise £250 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Alex Brockbank, Ben’s teacher, said: “It is going to be a challenge - he has set the bar quite high with regard to the event.

“We gave him the option to walk for a couple of hours but he wants to do the whole school day. It’s a huge challenge, especially for someone with ASD.”

Alex said Macmillan Cancer Support was chosen because a member of Ben’s care staff, who works closely with him, was involved with Macmillan for personal reasons not long ago.

“He turned around to me and said ‘I want to do something for charity to give back to my members of care’.”

Ben has been planning the walk, contacting people and carrying out risk assessments with help from his teachers.

Alex said: “Being his teacher is one thing but I have let him lead the organisation - this is his event.”

Jamie Hill, interim head of education, added: “We are delighted that Ben has set himself this challenge and expectation to support a charity that is close to his and his carers’ hearts. Ben is an inspirational young man who works hard every single day to develop an understanding of not only his own needs but the needs of other adults and children around him, showing a tremendous amount of empathy and understanding.”

To donate, visit his JustGiving page.