Gregg Wallace has called for more funding for the education of autistic children during an appearance on QVC.
The gastronomic station and Chef The judge appeared on the classic home shopping channel on Saturday (January 6) to promote a rose plant named after his four-year-old son, Sid.
Sid was diagnosed with severe autism in 2022.
(Getty Images)
During the broadcast, Wallace, 59, explained that £5 from every sale of Little Sid Rosebush supports the charity Ambitious About Autism, which directly helps “young children with autism, because finding education for them is not easy”.
“Let me tell you that we are very lucky, we have [Sid] at a local special needs school, but autistic children don’t fit well into mainstream education, we need additional funding,” Wallace said.
Describing the red flower to the audience, Wallace added: “It’s a beautiful fragrance, to me it smells a bit like vanilla and honey, but the flower itself is the same color as Sid’s favourite.”
Wallace shares Sid with his wife, Anne-Marie Sterpini, whom he married in 2016.
Little Sid Rose has been created by British breeders Harkness Rose Company, and £5 from every sale will be donated to a charity for autistic children and young people.
In June 2023, the former Saturday cooking The presenter spoke candidly about his reaction to finding out about Sid’s autism.
“You go through a period almost similar to mourning. “My God, I don’t have the son I thought I had,” she said. The times.
“I wanted to kick a rugby ball with him and teach him about knights and castles. His mother and his nonna would have wanted to teach her how to cook and make his bed and his clothes.
“His grandfather would have liked to go out with him with a boomerang and an air rifle and build a tree house. So we’re missing out. “I don’t think you’re missing out,” he added.
Wallace also previously fronted the BBC Two programme. Inside the factoryand told the Gaby Roslin show on BBC Radio London that her departure was influenced by Sid’s need for additional support with his education.
Earlier this week, Wallace recalled a special moment he shared with Sid over the festive period on the ITV show. lorraineand says he and Sterpini have seen marked improvements in their son since he started school.
He told presenter Lorraine Kelly: “It was the first time he opened his presents, played with them and interacted with his family.”
