The Son Rise Cup

In October 2006 a Football Match started on the Crowndale Pitches called the ‘Son-Rise Cup for Autism’.

Two Teams played for this Trophy Tavistock Tyres and The Union Inn to raise funds for Paul Lewis’s Son-Rise Programme of America Therapy ,which was used by his parents to help him communicate and get him to break free from his secret World where he never spoke or looked at anyone!

Paul was diagnosed with Severe Autism in December 2003 and in October 2004 Raun Kauffman from the Autsm Treatment Centre of America was interviewed on Richard and Judy’s Channel 4 Show using this therapy.

Following up leads and reading up on the internet about this powerful therapy Paul’s Parents Sheena and Allen decided to adopt the ideas and go on a course at Enfield with over 200 parents and carers.

Allen was convinced he had found the key to unlock his son.

On their return to Tavistock they began fund raising to get enough money to build a playroom as close to the designs in America.

A walk across Dartmoor by 12 people raised £5,000 and to follow Allen organized 5 horse rides, the last one Famous Horse Racing Celebrities attended , including Bob Champion MBE and Trainer Martin Pipe CBE.

Xfactor and Happy Mondays Singer Rowetta came for a publicity story to get interest in this therapy and with the football matches and support from other Fun Raisers the Family raised over £40,000 to help their son and promote Autism Awareness.

In May 2010 will be the 5th. Son-Rise Cup Event and money raised will help other charities now Paul is at school.

The Lewis Family worked non stop for 4 years to help their son and succeeded in getting him to use eye contact and speech in a specially designed playroom and with the help of over 35 volunteers , one Professionally Trained Child Facillitator they managed to get their son to communicate well enough to attend Main Stream School. First St. Rumons in Tavistock and now on to St. Peters Primary School.

The Son-Rise Cup for Autism is now an Established DEVON FA Event for the people of Tavistock and the 2009 Event involved over 90 businesses!

Allen said, “Without the Support of the Tavistock People and Rural Community our goal would never have been achieved. We have made so many friends because of Paul and I have a fantastic relationship with all the businesses in this Area. Thank you is all I can say!”