Teen artist with autism helps children’s hospice

• Published date: 25 April 2024
• Author: Erin Carelse erin.carelse@acm.co.za
• Publication title: False Bay Echo

Clayden Botes, of Kalk Bay, who was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome at the age of 6, will paint a life-sized horse sculpture to raise funds for Iris House Children’s Hospice

“I want this horse to be the most beautiful, colourful, interesting, and unique horse in South Africa, if not the world,” Clayden said. “I'm just going to let my heart lead me on this project.”

The non-profit Iris House was established in 2011, by Sue van der Linde, to support special-needs children with life-limiting and or life-threatening conditions and their families.

Equine therapy, aqua therapy and adaptive surfing are some of the free support services it offers.

Ms Van der Linde came across Clayden's Facebook page and found his work fascinating.

“He is an extremely talented young man, and being autistic made his art even more special,” she said.

“I'm over the moon to have his support for the project. It's going to make an amazing one-of-a-kind auction piece for our Purple Ball on Saturday August 31.”

Because of state budget cuts, the funds raised at the auction would be greatly appreciated, she said.

“Iris House has been hit extremely hard hit by the budget cuts. We had to undergo a painful retrenchment in January and have lost over R380 000 in funding,” Ms Van der Linde said.

Clayden has asked the public to donate paint for his project, which he expects to complete in the next two months.

“Paint...