TRAVEL agents are raising vital funds for a charity-run play centre which has provided a sanctuary for the store manager’s autistic nephew.

Staff at Hays Travel Bolton have chosen the Boomerang multi-sensory play centre in Bury as the charity it wants to support during 2018 — a cause which is close to the heart of branch manager Toni Smith.

Boomerang founder and managing director Emma Birkett is a close friend of Toni, whose nine-year-old autistic nephew, Callum, has been a regular visitor to the play centre in Woodhill Street since it opened six years ago.

The charity was formed in 2007 and set about raising £250,000 to open what is now the largest multi-sensory centre in the region catering specifically for youngsters with complex learning difficulties, although all children are welcome.

Hays Travel North West asks each of its 28 stores to generate at least £500 for a chosen charity every year and then doubles the total of the highest fundraising branch.

Bolton branch manager Toni, aged 42, said: “Boomerang is a charity that’s close to my heart because it has helped my nephew Callum and was set up by my friend Emma.

“She has a disabled daughter and found she had nowhere to take her so she gave up her job and set up the charity. They then raised enough funds to open the centre.

“My nephew has autism and it is somewhere he can go that’s safe and is not too noisy as he really dislikes noise.

“It’s hard work keeping it going every year so I’m so glad we can play our part and help.

“It’s a fantastic cause and Emma has worked so hard to make it really successful.”

Toni, who lives in Bury with her catering company owner husband Daniel, added: “I wanted everyone in the team to be happy with the choice of charity, and not just support it because it’s my friend.

“This year the team were really keen to do something to help children so Boomerang was perfect. It’s also a local charity.

“Emma actually books her holidays with us so everyone knows her and what she’s achieved with the charity.”

Toni’s younger sister, Terri Wild, says the centre is a sanctuary for both her and Callum as it is a place where they both feel comfortable and are not judged.

The 38-year-old, who also lives in Bury, said: “Callum doesn’t like noise or when places are too busy. It’s certain pitches of noise that affect him.

“It’s really difficult to go to a mainstream soft play for that reason, particularly as we can only go at the weekends or school holidays when they’re at their busiest.

“Emma is a friend of mine and Toni’s so we knew her before she opened the centre. I helped with the fundraising to get it open.

“It’s a place that Callum can go where he’s inclusive. People don’t judge you. Callum can go into crisis quite a lot and his tantrums can be embarrassing but at the centre I feel relaxed."

Staff at Hays Travel in Bolton will also be supporting Boomerang by taking part in a number of the charity’s scheduled fundraising events.

They include a quiz night at the Elton Liberal Club in Bury on April 20, a live music night at the same venue on June 30, and a trek to the summit of Snowdon in September.