By Nikki Jarvis

nikki.jarvis@essnmedia.co.uk

Kind-hearted students are creating a book for autistic children, with all the money they raise from its sale going to a Croydon charity.

The youngsters will design and publish the book themselves as part of the Young Enterprise scheme, which aims to teach teenagers entrepreneurial skills.

Usually the young businessmen and women aim to make a profit for themselves but this group of caring teens only want to help others.

The 13 students have called their business Bright Ideas and are inspired by the personal experience of one member.

Nishanthi Palakrishnan, 17, felt inspired to make the book for her autistic brother Nishanthan, 16.

The Old Palace School pupil, from Exeter Road, Croydon, said: "We are all really passionate about helping people and I know there is a real problem with getting age-appropriate books for children with autism.

"It will be designed to teach them life skills that we take for granted like how much toothpaste to use and also how to deal with bullying and friendships as these are things which autistic children find it hard to cope with."

Profits made from the children's book will go to Whitgift SNAP – a charity which puts on summer play schemes for disabled children and young people between the ages of five and 25.

But before they can think about making money the teenagers have to raise enough money to have 1,000 copies of the book published.

The group is made up of students from Trinity School and Coloma Girls' School, both in Shirley, Old Palace School, in Croydon, and

Wilson's School, in Wallington.

So far they have raised £200 but will need to raise far more to get the book published.

Nishanthi added: "I think we will make enough money for the book because we are all so dedicated, passionate and strong-willed and this means the world to all of us."

*To make a donation or for more information contact Nishanthi at nishanthi_p@hotmail.co.uk