Sunderland teenage plane fanatic gets special tour of North East Land, Air and Sea Museum ahead of its reopening

Jack Berry, 13, who was one of NELSAM's first customers back post covid, with cousin Maisie Jones, eight.

The museum officially reopens on Tuesday July 21, but plane fanatic Jack Berry was given a special tour of the attraction as its first guest back after being forced to close due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Jack, who attends Barbra Priestman Academy, was diagnosed with autism at two years old and is selectively mute but loves anything to do with history and became fascinated with planes after hearing stories from his grandad, who worked on concorde aircraft.

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David Charles of North East Land, Sea and Air Museums gives autistic youngster Jack Berry, 13 and cousin Maisie Jones, eight, a special tour of the NELSAM

After Jack’s mum Sara got in touch with the museum, chair of NELSAM, David Charles was more than happy for Jack to be their first guest since March.

Jack’s Mum Sara said: “Jack is massively inspired by history. He loves anything to do with planes and history, which he gets from his grandad. When he found out we were going for a special visit he was bouncing up and down.”

“We’re really thankful to David and the museum for setting this up and Jack is just over the moon with it.”

The North East Land, Sea and Air Museum has introduced a number of social distancing measures in order to adhere to government guidelines, which includes hand sanitising stations, signs encouraging two metre distances, regular cleaning and doors being kept open to avoid contact.

Jack Berry, 13 gets a special tour of the North East Land, Sea and Air Museums as their first customer back, with cousin Maisie Jones, eight

On display will be a number of historic vehicles and aircraft.

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Jack Berry, 13 gets a special tour of the North East Land, Sea and Air Museums with Maisie Jones, eight.

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