logo
Autistic artist hopes his Ipswich Town painting is inspirational

Autistic artist hopes his Ipswich Town painting is inspirational

BBC News06-04-2025

An autistic artist said he was honoured that his painting of a football stadium will be sold to raise money to help other people with autism.David Downes has painted Portman Road, the home of Ipswich Town Football Club, and is auctioning the art for the club's community foundation.The artist, from Manningtree, Essex, said it was a privilege to work with the club, which engages 9,000 young people and vulnerable adults through 29 programmes."I hope it gives inspiration to people. I am so impressed by Ipswich Town and their genuine commitment to diversity and inclusion, and engaging in the local community," he said.
Saturday's game against Wolves at Portman Road was the club's annual Foundation Fixture. Previous Foundation Fixtures have raised more than £85,000 to support its work in the community.The club provides sensory packs to help autistic supporters enjoy the game. Each pack contains noise-cancelling headphones, a fidget spinner and a stress ball.Sarah Dooley, head of business and operations for the foundation, said the money raised from the auction would allow it to continue its work in the community."David's commitment to raising awareness of, and support for, autism is something that resonates strongly with the foundation's values and with a number of its participants, so we are proud to be working alongside him," she said.
Mr Downes has a photographic memory, which he puts down to his neurodivergent brain. He recalls the places he has visited and paints them from his recollections.The artist, who has a gallery in Manningtree, is an ambassador for Autism Anglia.James McQuiggan, chief executive of the charity, said: "April is Autism Acceptance Month and it's fantastic to see Ipswich Town Football Club taking meaningful steps to promote inclusion in football through their collaboration with David. "Too many autistic people still face significant barriers – whether in education, employment, healthcare or accessing social and leisure activities."By raising awareness and fostering greater understanding, we can work together as communities to create a more inclusive society – one where autistic people are not only included but empowered to thrive and reach their full potential."
Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Why Rayan Ait-Nouri is perfect for Manchester City
Why Rayan Ait-Nouri is perfect for Manchester City

Telegraph

timean hour ago

  • Telegraph

Why Rayan Ait-Nouri is perfect for Manchester City

Rayan Ait-Nouri will become the first specialist left-back at Manchester City since Joao Cancelo and now has the opportunity to further develop his undoubted talent. The Algeria international has signed a five-year contract at the Etihad Stadium after the clubs agreed a deal worth £35 million. He becomes City's first major signing of the summer, with AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders also set to join. Both are available for the upcoming Club World Cup later this month. Ait-Nouri is an introvert off the field and an extrovert on it, possessing a sublime ability to carry the ball which evokes comparisons with Riyad Mahrez, a former City player and team-mate in the Algerian national team. His improvement over the last 18 months, particularly from a defensive point of view, suggests that he could be the perfect fit for Pep Guardiola. Manchester City have trailed him for at least three transfer windows. Liverpool also scouted him frequently before opting to target Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez this summer. Ait-Nouri's metrics are higher than Kerkez, however, and the 24-year-old will now have the stage to flourish. Despite his age, it does feel like he has been at Wolves for a very long time. He joined them almost five years ago, initially on loan, and it seems like a trick of the imagination that managers such as Nuno Espirito Santo and Julen Lopetegui were never convinced. It has been his emergence under first Gary O'Neil and then Vitor Pereira that has elevated his reputation and ultimately landed him the chance to play for Guardiola. 'I am incredibly happy and honoured to have joined Manchester City. City are one of the biggest clubs in the world and the chance to play for the club is a dream come true,' Ait-Nouri said. 'I am also so excited about working with and learning from Pep (Guardiola) and his coaching team and getting to train and play alongside such a world class group of players. 'I'm young and I came here to improve a lot. I need to learn and improve my football for sure - it's why I chose this big challenge. 'I know I can improve my football and being in these kind of conditions with this team and this manager, for sure I will improve my football.' Learn more about our first summer signing! ✨ — Manchester City (@ManCity) June 9, 2025 Though he will play primarily as a left-back at the Etihad, Ait-Nouri comes alive with the ball at his feet in attacking positions. He is an exciting performer who possesses skill and trickery, so the challenge of becoming Guardiola's inverted full-back will be easily achievable. He has also improved defensively, especially in one-on-one situations, and concerns over his physicality and aerial prowess have largely disappeared. Ait-Nouri will be City's first left-back specialist since Benjamin Mendy, who played his final game for the club almost four years ago. Oleksandr Zinchenko, Cancelo, Nathan Ake, Josko Gvardiol and, most recently, Nico O'Reilly have been among the players to fill the position, and while Ait-Nouri's arrival may go under the radar, in comparison to other signings City may make this summer do not be surprised if he proves to be a huge success.

How Celtic-bound Doohan and Ralston fared in Scotland win
How Celtic-bound Doohan and Ralston fared in Scotland win

The National

timean hour ago

  • The National

How Celtic-bound Doohan and Ralston fared in Scotland win

The right-back played until the 48th minute and played his part in George Hirst's first strike for the national team, playing a fine first-time ball into the box that Che Adams flicked on to the Ipswich Town forward. Between the sticks, Doohan had little to do. The goalkeeper could have easily played the game on a deckchair, given the number of forays forwards Liechtenstein had. Read more: It is understood that Doohan has agreed to rejoin Celtic this summer, replacing Scott Bain as the Scottish Premiership champions' third-choice keeper. Steve Clarke revealed what he told Doohan before he made his Scotland debut this evening: "Go out and do what you do and be the goalkeeper you are, that's all you can say," revealed the national team boss [BBC Scotland]. Scotland now turn their attention to World Cup qualifiers, which kick off in September with a trip to Copenhagen to take on Denmark. Kieran Tierney, who has agreed a pre-contract to return to Celtic this summer, was absent from the Liechtenstein victory, alongside Scott McTominay: "Scott [McTominay] and Kieran both came into camp carrying some little issues over from the season," said Clarke. "So I think if we had a longer turnaround between the games, they might have had a chance, but listen, it's the end of the season for those two. 'The most important thing is to have a good rest over the summer and come back flying in the autumn.'

Manchester City sign Rayan Ait-Nouri from Wolves for £31m
Manchester City sign Rayan Ait-Nouri from Wolves for £31m

BreakingNews.ie

time2 hours ago

  • BreakingNews.ie

Manchester City sign Rayan Ait-Nouri from Wolves for £31m

Manchester City have completed the signing of left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri from Wolves. The 24-year-old Algeria international has signed a five-year contract at the Etihad Stadium after the clubs agreed a fee of £31 million (€36 million). Advertisement He becomes City's first major signing of the summer, with AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders also set to join. Manchester City have signed Wolves left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri for £31million (Martin Rickett/PA) Ait-Nouri will be eligible for the upcoming Club World Cup later this month, with City also looking to get Reijnders done in time. 'I am incredibly happy and honoured to have joined Manchester City. City are one of the biggest clubs in the world and the chance to play for the club is a dream come true,' he said. 'I am also so excited about working with and learning from Pep (Guardiola) and his coaching team and getting to train and play alongside such a world class group of players. Advertisement 'I'm young and I came here to improve a lot. I need to learn and improve my football for sure – it's why I chose this big challenge. Relax... we have an announcement to make 🔊 — Manchester City (@ManCity) June 9, 2025 'I know I can improve my football and being in these kind of conditions with this team and this manager, for sure I will improve my football.' Ait-Nouri has spent five years at Wolves, initially arriving on loan from Angers before signing permanently for £14.9m in 2021. He is City's first left-back specialist since Benjamin Mendy, who played his final game for the club almost four years ago. Advertisement Oleksandr Zinchenko, Joao Cancelo, Nathan Ake, Josko Gvardiol and – most recently – Nico O'Reilly have been among the players to fill the position since. Welcome, Rayan ✍️🩵 — Manchester City (@ManCity) June 9, 2025 'Rayan is a player that as a club we have been following closely for quite some time and we are delighted he has joined us,' said director of football Hugo Viana. 'He already has extensive Premier League experience and has also demonstrated his quality at international level with Algeria. 'We feel sure that he will be an excellent addition to our squad and that working alongside Pep and his coaching staff will help develop his game even further. Advertisement After six seasons with the Club, Scott Carson will leave Manchester City when his contract expires this summer. We would like to thank Scott for his hard work and dedication and wish him the very best of luck for the future 🩵 — Manchester City (@ManCity) June 9, 2025 'And at just 24 he is someone we feel sure will help us in our objective to bring more success to the club.' Veteran goalkeeper Scott Carson is to leave the club when his contract expires this summer. The 39-year-old made just two senior appearances in a six-year stint but was involved in squads that collected 12 trophies, including the Champions League in 2023.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store