A FUNDRAISING afternoon tea next weekend will benefit autistic individuals and their families at Alloa's Makers Café, while encouraging others to hold their own events.

The gathering on Sunday, August 11, will be held at Scottish Autism's much-loved café where support workshops and peer network opportunities are on offer for families who are currently not receiving direct support form the charity.

And it will not just be about collecting cash on the day as packs will be launched to encourage people to hold their own events at Makers, where Scottish Autism service users are benefitting from meaningful work experiences.

Karen Wilson, fundraising manager at Scottish Autism, said: "The Makers Afternoon Tea event will launch our fundraising campaign to encourage our supporters to hold their own events with friends, family and colleagues.

"All funds raised from the event will help to provide support groups at Makers which offer advice and workshops for the parents and carers of autistic individuals to attend and network with their peers.

"In addition to these sessions, we hope to further expand what we offer by providing a rolling programme of workshops, activities and peer network opportunities.

"We look forward to welcoming everyone on the day and treating them to a range of delicious food prepared by our staff and the individuals we support at Makers."

Anyone looking to head along can email Steph via stephanie.wilks@scottishautism.org to book a place for £12, or call 01259 728 301.

Anyone who is not able to attend on the day, but would still like to support parent groups and the likes at Makers, can visit bit.ly/SAcrowdfunder to donate.

Makers opened in February 2018 and has been going from strength to strength as it has become a popular lunch-time option for locals.

In November last year, a patch of waste ground behind the café was transformed into a stunning sensory garden for service users and it also provides produce for the kitchen.