CHILDREN travelled through time at Robert Le Kyng Primary School on Saturday, with a little help from Time Travelling Toby.

Toby is the literary creation of Graham Jones, a part-time author who has published two books in the children’s series, with visits to the Battles of Britain and Trafalgar.

Graham visited the monthly session held by Swindon Children Without a Diagnosis or with Rare Disorders (SCWAD) on Saturday at the Westcott Street school.

Ronnie Clancy-Grubb, who organises three-hour sessions for the children using SCWAD, said Graham had been scouted by another parent at a past reading session.

He was tracked down and asked to hold a 90-minute session with the children, which included a reading to the eight children attending, accompanied by interactive movies alongside the book’s tale.

“All the kids were paying attention,” she said. “We have got some kids who are autistic and others who have attention issues. They didn’t move from their chairs or the floor at all.

“It’s because he was interacting with them, rather than just sitting around.”

Ronnie and the SCWAD team had all bought a copy of Graham’s latest book, Time Travelling Toby and the Battle of Trafalgar, for the children to have signed and then take home.

SCWAD is a support group for parents and carers of children who have rare chromosomal or metabolic disorders or who remain undiagnosed.

Originally set up by two mums, SCWAD is run by a committee of parents whose children are part of the group.

As well as supporting parents and carers with coffee mornings and socials, the children meet in monthly activity sessions.

The work of SCWAD is made possible with money provided by Children in Need, which provides grants every three years to charities like SCWAD.

“These sessions are extremely important. For some parents, it’s the only respite they get all week and for some children it’s the only interaction they get outside of school,” said Ronnie.

“For some, it’s just an opportunity to do something on a Saturday and just be kids.”

Graham is a part-time author, who has three sons of his own: Barnaby, 15, Toby, 12, and Theo, nine.

SCWD’s next activity will take place at Swindon College on Thursday, when students will hold a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party for children of the charity.