A LOCAL charity is appealing for more old phones to support a national scheme providing iPads for children affected by autism, writes James Candy.

The Autism Directory, set up by Penarth mum Nadine Honeybone, has teamed up with the Fone Shop on Glebe Street to collect old and unused phones. So far, more than 90 have been collected - well on the way to the 165 needed to provide an autistic child with the Apple gadget.

Hearts and Mind challenge, a UK-based charity, will give an iPad to a child who has been nominated locally. Mike Kerby, store manager of Fonehouse on Glebe Street, is taking the unused phones as well as nominations.

Directory founder Nadine, whose son was diagnosed with autism aged two, set up the online network after having difficulty finding autism-friendly resources.

With new phones on many peoples' Christmas lists Nadine hopes they can push towards the target of 165.

"People might not know what to do with their old phones and this is a great way to get rid of them," she said.

"A Penarth child will receive the iPad. We have had a lot of nominations already and nominations are being taken at Fonehouse in Penarth."

Every person who donates a phone will be entered into a draw to have their mortgage paid for a year by the Hearts & Minds Challenge initiative.

Nadine added: "We now have more than half the mobiles we need. We would really love to be able to donate our first iPad in the early part of 2013.”

The scheme is open to everyone and phones are being collected now.

To find out more on Hearts & Minds Challenge and their iPad Scheme go to www.heartsandmindschallenge.org/

For more information on the Autism Directory log on to www.theautismdirectory.com