Group photo

Suna Robinson, an artist from  Durham has recently sold over fifty of her modern art work in the bid to raise funds to help save the local North East Autistic Centre from closing.

   Durham County Council had planned to cut the last remaining day services, residential homes and most recently North East Autistic Centre in County Durham due to "lack of funds". Suna had managed to raise  over £5,000 to help prevent the closure of the local Autistic Centre based in Chester-le-Street; the artist has sold several pieces of artwork, mainly watercolours as well as silk paintings at local craft fairs and various sponsoring events in the county.

Working from home, she had previously studied Three-Dimensional Design at Teesside University. Suna was first motivated to help her 13 year old autistic nephew, Hussein, by selling her artwork as well as craftwork to help promote the  awareness of autism in the region. " There are so many young people like Hussein, who rely on autistic centres and support services to give them safety, education and stability in their everyday lives. If these cuts go through, I fear for the future of my nephew and many people like him. Without these essential support services, their future looks bleak. I am determined to stop this from happening".

   Suna who attends Winlaton Art group twice a week, has recently rallied her art class mates to help her raise funds for her noble cause. Her work is mainly based on her recent travels to the Middle east as well as the Far east." I want people to be inspired by my art work and take up watercolour painting as well as silk painting," she added at Winlaton Community Centre last week.

    Furthermore, she has started to teach the technique of silk painting to people of all ages at the Centre. She also plans to teach disabled children and young autistic children to help them to express their creative skills.

    Durham County Council has only lately reviewed its stand in closing the Autistic Centre. This is  as a result of the local protests by families and carers alike as well as the recent publicity. David Bell, Councillor at the education Department at Durham Council commented last week, " We are reviewing the case of the North East Autistic Centre in Chester-le-Street and together with the aid of the Disability Trust, we are rethinking our strategies in keeping the Centre open in the light of the recent campaign". 

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