THE pupils of Pictor School in Timperley have one wish this Christmas - and that’s for Trafford people to donate their old mobile phones so that they can raise enough to exchange for iPads to help with their learning.

The initiative is the brainchild of Messenger backed charity Hearts and Minds Challenge which is dedicated to helping families of children with autism.

Mobile phones can be exchanged for an iPad.

A total of 185 old, broken, damaged or unwanted mobile phones need to be collected in exchange for a brand new iPad with autism-friendly apps and features.

Pictor School is a Community Special School that caters for children aged two to 11 with special educational needs. A large number of their pupils have an autistic spectrum disorder, which means they have difficulties communicating and interacting with others.

Headteacher of Pictor School, Beverley Owens, saID the Hearts & Minds iPad scheme will make a real difference to her pupils.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to provide state of the art resources to benefit pupil’s access, enjoyment, motivation and success of the curriculum.”

Pictor School will be the collection point for mobile phones over the Christmas period and into 2014.

Founder of Sale based Hearts and Minds Challenge, Ian McGrath said: “This scheme has already helped to transform the lives of over 300 families around the UK and we would like to see many more people benefit.”

Pictor School is located on Grove Lane, Timperley.