Campaigner to climb UK's highest mountain with son and therapy dog to help neurodiverse families in Southport

A determined woman is preparing to climb Ben Nevis along with her son and her therapy dog in order to raise enough funds to run a Neurodiverse family workshop in Southport. Helen Maxwell is appealing for support as she looks to take on the fundraiser. Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in Scotland and the United Kingdom, standing at a challenging:- 1,345 m (4,413 ft) tall.

Helen's vision is to create a Neurodiverse Hub in Southport. The initiative is now a registered Community interest Company (CIC). Plans are starting to slot into place with applications being submitted for some grant funds that will support Helen to offer free support services to the Neuro Diverse population in Southport.

Helen Maxwell said:- "During the week of:- 31 March to 4 April 2026, I'm climbing Ben Nevis to raise �350 for The Neurodiverse Hub CIC; we are a Community Interest Company helping neurodiverse children, parents, carers and families in Southport get support that's genuinely accessible. This challenge is personal to me. I have seen 1st hand how dysregulation affects the welfare of families as a whole and have spent years learning the skills to help families learn how to co-regulate through activity, breathwork and other coping strategies. I'll also be joined by my son and our trainee therapy dog Willow; a very determined sausage dog!; along with our new recruit, our rescue dog that has come to us from the war in Ukraine."

There is a real need for Helen to raise the funding needed.

Helen added:- "Right now, too many neurodiverse families in Southport are being missed. Our aim is to fill this gap and provide those families with much needed support. There are services available, but in reality FREE classes and support aren't accessible for many families in Southport. Families are left trying to cope alone; and when you're supporting a neurodiverse child, that can impact the whole household's wellbeing and mental health. This fundraiser will pay for a family workshop for 10 families, where parents and children take part together and learn practical ways to co-regulate ; calming and supporting each other through stress, overwhelm and big emotions. Your donations will cover: Venue hire + refreshments and Workbooks to take away. Just �35 would pay for 1 family to attend. Every pound goes towards making this session happen and giving families tools they can use at home straight away. Please share our story, and if you can, please: Donate (any amount helps) Share our page with your friends / family / community Or cheer us on as we take on the climb! Thank you for helping neurodiverse families in Southport get out and live life; with support that meets them where they are."

� If you would like to donate please visit:- JustGiving.Com.

� See live updates along the way on:- Facebook.

� Join Helen's join my free ND Hub support group. It's a closed safe group for anyone with or supporting Neurodiversity issues.

Southport Flower Show announces new show compere

KEVIN Duala has been officially confirmed as the new compere of Southport Flower Show. Aria Gold Award winning Presenter Kevin Duala has over 30 years of Broadcasting experience; 25 of which have been with the BBC and C4. In 2024 Kevin joined BBC Radio Merseyside (BBC Sounds) and in 2025 Kevin received the prestigious Aria Gold for his flagship daily breakfast show; The Kevin Duala Breakfast Show; less than a year into a new post. As a regular reporter on:- 'The 1 Show' BBC1, Kevin is a familiar face to 6 million UK viewers each week, covering many of the nation's live and pre-recorded news stories.

Kevin began his professional life as a dancer, after an injury cut short his football career. He speaks German and Spanish and has travelled widely; including:- restoring an olive farm in rural Andalucia with his family.

After Starring as Rocky 1 in Starlight Express in the West End, Australia and Japan. Kevin went into the world of TV landing the plum role as host of the award-winning iconic children's TV show:- "Blue's Clues" for Nick Jnr. He went on to front:- 'The Big Toe Radio show'for Radio 4

Moving then into broadcasting Kevin presented a variety of programmes. Starting with a new BBC1 Investigative series:- 'Britains Secret Charity Cheats,' and exposing charity fraudsters and highlighting the great work Charities do.

Next up was 4 series of BBC1's consumer programme with Angela Rippon called:- "Health: Truth or Scare" debunking the headlines about the facts around health.

Kevin presented:- "Tool Club" a DIY show for C4 helping wannabe DIY enthusiasts with a group of experts to up skill and tackle their DIY fears. Then came an upcycling C4 series called "Bidding Wars" where he auctioneers as resellers bid to win pallets of unknown items.

Kevin co-hosted the popular quiz show:- "Moneybags" with Craig Charles for C4.

Kevin will be appearing in:- 'Bargain Hunt' for:- BBC1 in 2026, as part of 20th anniversary celebrations for:- The 1 Show.

Kevin recently appeared in:- 'Cinderella' at the newly re-opened Epstein theatre. He can be seen fronting corporate, public speaking and trade shows events around the UK. He is currently developing a Liverpool based podcast for BBC Sounds.

Alan Adams, General Manager, said:- "We're delighted to welcome Kevin to this year's event. We have an exciting line-up of special guests visiting this year and Kevin will bring his own inimitable style to Garden Theatre, welcoming our guests, hosting presentations and Q&A sessions."

Kevin will be joining an incredible line-up of special guests at this year's show, including:- Adam Frost (Thursday,), Briony May Williams (Thursday,-Sunday,), Arit Anderson (Friday,), Phil Vickery (Friday,), Anton Du Beke, and children's TV favourite Andy Day (Saturday,).

More exciting announcements will be revealed very soon; so watch this space!

This year's Southport Flower Show will take place at the wonderful Victoria Park, in Southport, Merseyside, from:- Thursday, 20 August to Sunday, 23 August 2026.

Visitors can look forward to:- inspirational show gardens, spectacular floral displays, impressive amateur grower exhibits, live entertainment, music, and so much more; making it a fantastic day out for all ages.

Visit the Flower Show's website for full event details and to discover everything happening across the 4 fabulous days.

Early bird tickets are now on sale. Buy tickets in advance of the show and save. Our early bird tickets are flexible and can be used on any 1 of the show days. Children under 16 are admitted free with a paying adult.

What are your thoughts on this news topic? Email our Newsroom at:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com or send us a message on:- Mastodon, Facebook, or Twitter. Please do let us know as we love to hear your views....

News reports located on this page = 2.

Campaigner to climb UK's highest mountain with son and therapy dog to help neurodiverse families in Southport

Southport Flower Show announces new show compere