Meet Alva Cullen, the mum who wrote a letter to Dunnes - and ended up creating a clothing line for kids with special needs

Sorcha Cullen (13) pictured with her mum Alva. Dunnes Stores have designed a whole range of clothes for children with disabilites after Alva wrote them a letter explaining the difficulties Irish parents face finding clothes for their children with additional needs. Picture Ciara Wilkinson.

Alva Cullen was sitting in her kitchen one morning when she had a brainwave. She sent an email to Dunnes Stores asking if the company would consider starting a new clothing range. It was a gamble;

the target market was small, but she was passionate about helping children with additional needs.