Falkirk nine-year-old launches goody bag range with Sheila's Sweets to support Scottish Autism

Ava Easter launched her Ava’s Mix goody bags in collaboration with Sheila’s Sweets this week to raise money for Scottish Autism.

The Comely Park Primary School pupil was asked by family friend and store owner, Pamela Kerr, if she’d like to create her own mixture of sweet treats in aid of the charity, which works to help those with autism “lead full and enriched lives”.

A developmental disorder of variable severity, someone who is autistic is likely to encounter difficulty with social interaction and communication and experience restrictive or repetitive patterns of thought and behaviour.

Following a conversation with the Falkirk youngster’s mum, Kay Thomson, business owner Pamela decided to run the idea past Ava – a suggestion that was met with immediate agreement.

Ava was then invited along to the Cow Wynd store to create her pick-and-mix pouches, proceeds from which will be donated to Scottish Autism.

Ava’s Mix is now available for purchase in-store, with £1 from every £5 small pouch, and £2 from each £10 large pouch sold going to the charity.

Pamela said: “We felt it would be great to raise awareness of autism.

“We thought if we could come up with something together, we could then raise money for Scottish Autism.

“Ava came in one day and picked the sweets she felt would work as an autistic person due to the colours, textures and flavours.

“We’d raised about £25 but then a man came in and donated £100 to Ava’s Mix. Ava’s ecstatic. She phones constantly and asks how many I’ve sold.

“She wants to know how many have gone out and she’s also just happy to be raising money for such a good cause. It’s given her a real confidence boost.”

Having only opened in September, Pamela is more than pleased with the support the business has received.

She said: “It’s been really good.

“We had quite a big reach online and were doing deliveries and collections.

“We’ve had quite a lot of new customers through social media. The post on Ava’s Mix has reached over 9000 people.”

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