OXFORD, UK: The generous donation of a Playstation games computer has brought a smile back to the face of a 13-year-old autistic girl.

The Oxford Mail reported on January 18 how Georgina Hoverd, 13, had been left distraught after thieves broke into her home and stole her Playstation, digital camera and piggy bank.

Following an appeal in the paper, a reader - who wishes to remain anonymous - contacted Georgina's parents and gave the family a spare Playstation they had.

Georgina's father, Brian Hoverd, said: "We are absolutely over the moon that someone has been so kind. I was nearly crying on the doorstep - I couldn't believe the generosity. Someone who is a complete stranger has taken the time to come over and give us this Playstation - it's fantastic."

The family's home, in Charterville Close, Minster Lovell, near Witney, was broken into in the early hours of January 14.

Although Mr Hoverd was woken by the family dog barking, when he went to check he found nothing and returned to bed.

The next morning, he and his wife, Ruth, realised an intruder had broken in, stealing jewellery, £50 cash from a handbag and Georgina's prized possessions.

Mrs Hoverd said: "This generous gift has made Georgina so happy. She is a different girl from the one she was on Monday. She has been charging around and clapping. She isn't 100 per cent back to normal but she is so much better."

Mrs Hoverd said the break-in and the loss of her possessions had disrupted Georgina's routine, leaving her confused.

She said: "Children with autism have very set routines and when they have things taken from them they think they are being punished.

"Having three things taken away from her was very hard. She couldn't understand what she had done wrong and with strangers coming in and out of the house it was quite a lot for her to take in."

The Oxford Mail spoke to the person who donated the Playstation.

He said: "When I read about what had happened to this poor family, I thought it was despicable. I know a bit about autism, so I know that the games are important as they provide sensations the children like. We had this one sitting here spare and thought it would be nice to see it put to good use. It was the least I could do."

(Source: Oxford Mail, January 20, 2008)