Boy raises awareness of autism with Postbox Piglets competition

Rhys, who attends North Hill House specialist school in Frome, has been making piglet ornaments since he was ten because he wanted to give something back to the community.

He and his family – mum Rachel, 48. and dad Richard, 46, donate most of the Postbox Piglets ornaments to charities to sell to raise money.

Rhys Downton with his selection of Downton Postbox Piglets. Photo: Trevor Porter 70528-1 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Rachel said: “Rhys has already raised around £1,000 through donations to national and local charities, including the Curly Tails sanctuary in Milton Keynes, RSPCA Little Valley and Bath Cats and Dogs Home.

“He also takes some to school for them to sell,” said Mrs Downton, of Elmdale Road, Studley Green in Trowbridge.

Rhys,  who has autism, ADHD and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, started making Postbox Piglets from Fimo polymer clay after going on a cruise to Norway and hearing about the traditional game of hiding little plastic ducks on board the ship.

“He was so disappointed when he didn’t find any that I put up a post on the P&O social media and he was sent over 100 ducks,” said Rachel.

“My sister Alison used to make the little pigs and this inspired him to start making the Postbox Piglets for donation to charity.”

Rhys added: “I really enjoy making the piglets and I want to be a biologist when I grow up.”

Rhys Downton producing his Downton Postbox Piglets. Photo: Trevor Porter 70528-2 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Rhys and his family are now running a competition on Postbox Piglets' Instagram and Facebook sites to win one of 10 hand-made neurodiversity pigs.

Postbox Piglets are designed to send love, hugs and friendship to someone in need. To take part in the competition, click here.

Rhys is hoping that by making them he can raise some awareness of autism and other neurodivergent conditions.

He was diagnosed with autism when he was five and was taken out of mainstream primary schools to attend the North Hill House specialist school in Frome.

Doctors diagnosed the ADHD last year and he shares the Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome with his mother, who also suffers from the same condition.

Common symptoms of Ehlers-Danlos syndromes include unusually flexible joints and skin that stretches and breaks easily.

Mrs Downton added: “Rhys struggles with extreme joint laxity and muscle hypotonia, which makes crafting quite painful for him but it also helps to improve his fine motor skills and muscle strength.”