A nine-year-old boy with autism took the plunge to swim with sharks to raise funds for a charity who have supported him.

Ben Moss, from Runcorn, bravely swam with a tank full of sharks at Blue Planet Aquarium at Cheshire Oaks on Sunday, May 26.

He underwent a training session before diving down 2m to a tank full of sharks, manta rays and puffer fish.

Family, friends and teachers from Ben’s school watched, cheering him on and were impressed to see Ben calmly diving for the first time surrounded by some large sharks.

Runcorn and Widnes World:

Ben underwater during the dive

Ben who attends Brooklands School first visited the charity with his friends from Halton Council’s disabled children’s service for a pirate day in 2017 - and has since enjoyed Christmas party days thanks to their support.

Ben’s parents Dawn and Chris explained why his visits to CAFT have been so important to him and why he decided to brave a shark dive to say thank you: “Ben is absolutely amazing.

"He’s a funny, confident character and incredibly caring and empathetic.

"We encourage him to experience as much as possible, he has a great imagination.

"He has his daily struggles but he’s a really happy boy who never fails to put a smile on everyone’s face! Ben’s visits to CAFT have been really good for him.

"Any opportunity to socialise with his peers, or to meet new friends, is always welcome and to have such an amazing location not too far away is fantastic. Both visits at Christmas have been particularly welcome because our family has been through a lot and Ben himself has his struggles, and so it was incredible to relax and enjoy ourselves.

"Ben adores Christmas, so it was such a thrill for him to be part of it."

Runcorn and Widnes World:

Ben at the Blue Planet Aquarium

They continued: "Both visits at Christmas have been particularly welcome because our family has been through a lot and Ben himself has his struggles, and so it was incredible to relax and enjoy ourselves."

Ben chose to raise money with his shark dive for CAFT, he said: “It’s a good thing. I thought it was a great idea.”

He said he loves his visits to the charity and thinks CAFT is “very, very amazing.”

Adventure farm fundraiser Helen Crowther will be joining Ben and his family on the day.

She said: "I’m terrified of sharks so for me this is the ultimate challenge.

"It always means so much to us when children have such kindness in their hearts that they decide they’d like to help other children.

"Ben truly is a hero.

"The money he raises will help us to provide day visits and holidays here at our amazing ten-acre site for terminally ill, disabled and socially disadvantaged children from all over the North West.

"His remarkable generosity and courage are an inspiration to us all.”

You can sponsor Ben by clicking here to visit his fundraising page.

To find out more about the charity’s work and how you could get involved you can either visit their website www.caft.co.uk or give them a call on 01565 830 053.