Autistic teenager wins top award

An autistic Flintshire teenager, who recently received the highest award as part of the Prince’s Trust xl programme, has been congratulated by the Chair of Flintshire County Council, Councillor Hilary McGuill.

Matthew Wilson,aged 17, from Halkyn, who has autism, received a gold award recently for his outstanding work on the xl programme, which is a personal development programme run in schools by youth charity, The Prince’s Trust. Only one percent of young people in Wales who have taken part on the xl programme have received the Gold Award – the highest level of achievement.

Matthew is a pupil at Ysgol Plas Brondyffryn in Denbigh, and achieved his award by organising a Christmas raffle to raise money for St Kentigern Hospice in St Asaph, participating in a local rugby initiative and a St John Ambulance course. He also helped plan and took part in an expedition to Snowdon with his xl group.

Councillor McGuill said:“I was very proud to meet Matthew and was impressed by what he has achieved. I think he’s the first in Flintshire to receive this accolade, so that’s a great achievement.”

Councillor Carol Ellis, Executive Member for Social Services, said: “I think Matthew is an inspiration to everyone and his knowledge is incredible. He’s achieved so much already and is a credit to his parents.”