A children’s book released late last year has gone on to raise money for a local Autism and Asbergers disorder charity.

Local author Rob Cowley handed a cheque for £1,000 to the Autism in Mann charity, at Centre 21, this week after selling hundreds of copies of his children’s book ’No Entry’ over Christmas.

Rob released the book during November last year, after he ’accidentally’ wrote the tale with his grandchildren, and he said he was moved to donate the proceeds to Autism in Mann after a friend’s 14-year-old daughter, Karmen St John-Cain, provided the book’s colourful illustrations.

’The book came about by accident after I started to make up stories with my grandson, Ryan,’ said Rob.

’He loves to read and write, and we used to create lots of little stories together and write them down.

’After a while, I realised I had about 12,000 words written and I was being encouraged by friends and family to get it published.’

On the advice of a family friend, Rob was introduced to Karmen, a pupil at Ballakermeen High School.

Karmen herself has Asperger’s syndrome and, while she has difficulty in communicating with people, loves to draw.

’I just left her to it and she eventually came back with these phenomenal pictures, which really illustrate the story wonderfully,’ he said.

The book was published by Lily Publications, with help from the Isle of Man Arts Council, and sold in bookshops around the island, including the Lexicon and Bridge bookshop.

Breda Craine, from Autism in Mann said: ’We in the committee were delighted and very grateful for the money raised.

’The funds will be put towards the educational work that it does in supporting families and raising awareness about Aspergers and Autism on the island and anyone wishing to contact the charity can do so via their Facebook page.’