More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
A teenager has become a village celebrity thanks to his creativity and his help for the elderly and vulnerable.
Nick Harvey, 19, of Highwoods Close, Higham, has autism, dyspraxia, a global development delay, epilepsy, multiple genetic disorders, heart issues and a leg deformity but is still determined to lift community spirits with his homemade Easter cards.
His mum, Heather, said: "I am so proud of my son. He's becoming quite a minor celeb in the village.
"Matt Joblin created Higham Help and, as a result, emergency boxes of supplies were created to be given to the vulnerable. So everyone could be involved, children of the community were encouraged to make the box colourful.
"After enjoying the colouring-in activity, Nick and I had the idea of creating Easter cards to put in the boxes to help lift the spirits of those self isolating.
"Nick attends the Quest School, a specialist school in Paddock Wood, where it's a known fact that Nick dislikes art.
"I can't believe it, he hates art at school but he absolutely loves making the cards at home. I send the school pictures of him doing arts and crafts at home, they can't believe it!
"At the moment we're trying to make 30 arts and crafts a day. Nick doesn't really understand what's going on at the moment but he understands that I can't take him out.
"But this whole self-isolation thing for him is paradise; it's like a school holiday. He doesn't enjoy being sociable so it's easy keeping him entertained with activities in the garden."
Nick's Easter cards became such a hit that people were making requests to purchase them.
However, Heather has simply asked for donations towards the cards to go towards supporting the village's vulnerable.
Heather said: "As a community, everyone's really been doing their bit to help others.
"Hayley's Bakery has also been wonderful help; the shop is truly becoming the hub of the village.
"Nick loves making the cards and really enjoys the praise he gets from everybody who see him and his cards."
If you would like to support Higham Help, visit their Just Giving page here, more than £1,000 has been raised so far.
For the latest coronavirus news and advice, click here.
