Welcome to Raffy's Trust.org!

This is our little boy Raffy, as you can see he is drop dead gorgeous but he has some very serious difficulties in life.
Please take a few minutes to read the info and have a browse of the Son-Rise® link.
Thanks, Bri & Ruth

Tuesday, 17 April 2012

Weekly Intention

Every week we have a new Intention which helps us focus on the core attitudes of the Son-Rise Program. This is alongside Raffy's goals which come from the four areas of development - eye contact/non verbal communication, verbal communication, flexibility and interactive attention span.

The Intention and how we interpret it can be used to help us in the playroom and outside of it.


This week the intention is Awareness.
We bring our awareness to Raffy and think about how perfect he is now and how brilliantly he is doing. This can help us celebrate all the great eye contact, language and interaction he is showing us in the playroom.
We celebrate Raffy very literally by telling him and cheering him on. "Thank you for telling me which game you want to play, Raffy! I love it when you look at my eyes and tell me what you want! Yay!"

Profound respect is at the heart of a Son-Rise Program and we practice showing and telling Raffy exactly how we appreciate all the extra effort he puts in to interact with us. It can seem difficult and unnatural at first but it becomes easier and feels very beautiful and joyful.
We are aware of ourselves and how we can help him achieve so much just by being mentally and emotionally present and fully aware of him. This helps us celebrate ourselves in the playroom and feel energised, excited and enthusiastic.

Being aware of Raffy can help us be present and also listen closely to the things he is saying and more alert to his body language and how we can 'join' him in his insular activities.
'Joining' is the key to bonding and building a bridge in to Raffy's inner world.
We join him when he is involved in his repetitive activities and interests that soothe and reassure him.
It is the ultimate way of loving Raffy and showing him that he is respected and accepted.


Outside the playroom we can use the intention to experience our lives in the present. We can see it as a way of being less judgmental of other people. Being aware that we are master of our own emotions, that other people are always doing the best they can. This awareness can bring us more serenity and enjoyment of our lives. Being aware of the sun on our skin. Being aware and appreciative of being amongst people who care about us etc etc.
Having an intention each week can be a very powerful aid to living a happy and loving life.


Trip to Sheffield in Dec 2011... home of the Son-Rise Program!




We made it to Raffy's Intensive week just before Christmas! We had a truly wonderful week with some of the most knowledgeable, loving and respectful people I have ever met.
Raffy had a blast, a full time, 1-1 week with child facilitators and SR teachers. By Thursday the team knew him as well as his mum and dad and had the expertise to clarify and train us to help him further.
I hope you enjoy these photos...

Saturday, 7 April 2012

This is my 4th attempt!

Realised how I'm completely overdue with a fresh blog post... I've had 3 previous attempts to write and got disturbed each time.
Anyway here are some pictures of our boy!





We had our Son-Rise Intensive back in December 2011 and it was of course, AMAZING. I feel rather guilty for not managing to keep this page alive. Apologies.

I have some pictures of Mr R with the Son-Rise team so I will post those next and an update. Things are very different here, we've had a lot of changes in our program.
This is Raffy and sis last Friday on a chilly beach at Frinton. Socks and shoes off and making teeny tiny sandcakes!
We've never managed a trip to the beach before. A first!


Thursday, 24 November 2011

Amazing fundraising news!

What a great night was had on Sunday 6th November! Thank you so much to everyone who came, donated, drank, danced, sang, bid, bought art, got a Raffy t-shirt, had fun!
We raised over £3,000 in the end and all the art was bought!
43 lots were bid for and won on the night, it was very, very exciting.

An over large thank you to Bernie at The Rhythm Factory for hosting the event and Jimmy for organising all the venue details.

Thank you to all the artists/makers who donated work... DJ Simpson, Rufus Dayglo, Jules Smith, Linda Hills, Ludovik Boden, Natasha Gomperts,  Nina Miranda, Dominic Wright, Jennie Pedley, Sam Collins, Vic Palastanga, Brooke McHenry Gottdenker, Hannah Montag, Omri Stephenson, Adrian Senior, Mushtaq Hussain, Matt Webber, Agata Lulkowska, Richard Perryman, Louise Heller and last but not least Damien Hirst!

And to all the bands, DJ's and singers... Archean Soundtrack, The Merry Few, The Three Belles, Paul Ramjac, Ezra, Jess, Isla, Dash, Rory, Nat, Yaz... you made it a really unique evening.
Also a shout out to Binnsy our inestimable compere for the night and Yaz for heading up the t-shirt sales!

Last but not least a huge loving thank you to all of Raffy's Son-Rise team who really pulled out all of the stops to make the night a success.... Phoebe, Yaz, Rory, Nat, Adam, Rikke, Jake, Binns and Annie xxxxxxx

Hoping for more photos from the night... but here are three including the art gang gearing up for some auctioneering to a bit of Blur (wearing the t-shirts Raffy designed!), Raffy's Dad hanging some art work and Nat singing!
Thanks to Bri, Chop & Hannah for helping set up the art.









Sunday, 13 November 2011

To anyone who has tried to donate (and failed) using the Donate button.
our friends at pay-pal have told us "We routinely encounter problems when donors attempt to use Pay-pal using Chrome or Safari browsers, please encourage donors to use Firefox or Internet Explorer"
You couldn't make it up!

Monday, 24 October 2011

Rhythm Factory Art Auction & music extravaganza on 6th Nov!


Artists/makers confirmed so far for Raffy's benefit evening... more pictures to be added.

If you are unable to attend the auction in person but would like to blind bid please contact r_breckell@hotmail.com

You can email the name of the piece you are interested in with your maximum bid.


Damien Hirst                   Lot 35
Ping Pong Ball 2000 limited ed. addressed to Jake Chapman




Ludovik Boden               Lot 15
Blastocyst 2005  Plaster artist's proof 16 x 16 x 16 cms 

Ludovik Boden              Lot 16
Im/Perfected Object III 2004  Plaster artist's proof 15 x 15 x 15 cms

Dominic Wright                            Lot 26
The Father becomes the Shadow 2007 framed acrylic on board 18 x 23 cms (with frame 39 x 44 cms)









DJ Simpson                     Lot 17
Mr B Red limited edition formica on birch plywood (number 20 out of edition of 25) 59 x 59 cms

Rufus Dayglo                Lot 31
Tank Girl Wanted! 2011 signed artists proof 31 x 43 cms


Rufus Dayglo              Lot 31
Tank Girl 2011 original ink & pencil on paper signed 14.5 x 21 cms


Rufus Dayglo              Lot 31
Tank Girl Summer Special signed 17 x 26 cms

Matthew Webber         Lot 18
Untitled (Small Red One Four) 1999 oil on canvas 36 x 36 cms



Ruth Breckell       Lot 11
Cloud 2002 oil on canvas 50 x 40 cms

Ruth Breckell       Lot 12
Ghost 2002 oil on canvas 50 x 40 cms

Ruth Breckell          Lot 37
Sunspots oil on canvas 2000 120 x 60 cms





Jules Smith                Lot 19
Untitled 2011 framed collage watercolour and ink on paper 12 x 12 cms (with frame 25 x 25 cms)








Samuel Collins      Lot 21
Overhead acrylic on canvas 24 x 20 cms









Samuel Collins      Lot 22
Hair 2010 acrylic on canvas 20 x 16 ins

Linda Hills                           Lot 1
Study I 2010 pin hole camera photograph 19.5 x 28.5cms









Linda Hills                          Lot 2
Study II 2010 hand treated photograph 19.5 x 28.5 cms








Linda Hills                           Lot 3
Study III 2010 pin hole camera photograph 19.5 x 28.5 cms








Linda Hills           Lot 4
Study IV 2010 pin hole camera photograph 19.5 x 28.5 cms





Linda Hills           Lot 5
Study V 2010 hand treated photograph 19.5 x 28.5 cms




Hannah Montag    Lot 20
Stuffed polecat (globe not included!) 2011 genuine roadkill!






Mushtaq Hussain    Lot 6
Intangible 1999 oil on board 92 x 48 cms




Nina Miranda         Lot 7
2010 Nail through Finger Mixed media on 12" vinyl

Nina Miranda        Lot 8
You You 2010 Mixed media on 12" record sleeve

Nina Miranda                    Lot 9
Who is the 21st Century Woman? 2011 Mixed media on paper 42 x 59 cms

Nina Miranda                     Lot 10
Is it Something...? 2011 Mixed media on paper 42 x 59 cms









Natasha Gomperts   Lot 28
Cloud paddlers Monoprint 2011 ink on paper 28.5 x 38 cms (with mount 50 x 40 cms)

Natasha Gomperts               Lot 29
Beach Donkey 2011 Monoprint ink on paper 28.5 x 38 cms (with mount 50 x 40 cms)

Natasha Gomperts             Lot 30
Path 2011 Monoprint ink on paper 28.5 x 38 cms (with mount 50 x 40 cms)









Brooke McHenry Gottdenker  Lot 23
'In the Round' 2011 one-off necklace resin and silver 4.5 cms diameter









Brooke McHenry Gottdenker  Lot 24
'Angled' 2011 one-off necklace resin and silver 2.5 x 4 cms

Ruth Breckell           Lot 13
Family Unit I 2010 felted yarn and recycled knitting 50 x 31 cms







Ruth Breckell            Lot 14
Family Unit II 2010 felted yarn and recycled knitting 47 x 38 cms






Victoria Palastanga      Lot 25
The Forest 2011 acrylic on canvas 30 x 40 cms









Agata Lulkowska       Lot 36
Sebastian con la cabrita 2011 digital photograph









Louise Heller              Lot 27
Hidden 2010 woodcut print on paper 59 x 46 cms (with paper margin 76 x 63 cms)






Richard Perryman       Lot 34

Saturday, 15 October 2011

Raffy Music & Art Fundraising Extravaganza Nov 6th!


Calling all Raffy admirers in the London & Essex area! We are having a wonderful evening of music, art and fun to raise money towards Raffy's autism Son-Rise intensive week in December this year.

There is an amazing line up of musical talent, live bands, acoustic sets, DJ's and art auction.
The evening starts early at 4pm and finishes at midnight.
I hope you can tell your friends and family, it's only £5 with an advance ticket! Donations are welcome through this site (see the Donate button) and on the night itself.
Contact r_breckell@hotmail.com for tickets

There is the chance to nab some amazing art for a bargain price... I will be posting up the participating artists in the next 2 weeks.
Thank you!