By Goya Dmytryshchak
A mother who was heartbroken after no one turned up to a little boy’s birthday is holding a party for 1000 children in Williamstown this month.
Louise Larkin was inspired to host her first “Friend in Me” party after hearing the story of Melton boy Logan on the radio.
No one had turned up to the sixth birthday of Logan, who has spina bifida.
“His mum called the radio station and stated that her little boy had never been to a party before due to his disabilities and social exclusion, so Fox FM put on a big party for Logan’s seventh birthday,” Ms Larkin said.
“I thought to myself, that’s really sad and if that was my children that would be heartbreaking.”
So, Ms Larkin decided to create an event for children who feel lonely and isolated.
About 350 people attended.
Last year, that number doubled.
“I want to keep campaigning to make sure that no child is left behind,” Ms Larkin said.
“We are here to teach our children about kindness and we do have to include people.
“We want to bring together children from all walks of life, be it that they have a disability or they’re on the spectrum or maybe they just don’t have the confidence or they’re shy.
“We also welcome children that are really confident and have a lot of friends … it’s literally an event for everybody.”
Logan has turned up to the past two parties as an ambassador.
This year’s party will have live music, roaming superheroes, balloon artists, face-painters, Auslan interpreters and a sensory room.
The party is on March 31 at Seaworks in Williamstown from 11am-4pm. Proceeds will go towards Melbourne’s West ASD Network, supporting parents and carers of children with autism in the western suburbs.
For more information, visit the Friend in Me page on Facebook.
