Archer has severe autism and has difficulties relating to people and coping in everyday situations.

An assistance dog will provide a calming influence and give Archer something to focus on other than the strange world around him.

The dogs are trained by an organisation called Smartpups and cost more than $20,000.

The family is required to raise $15,000, with Smartpups picking up the rest.

Archer’s parents Jessica and Adrian Saunders have raised $6300 so far, from generous private and business donors and events.

Mrs Saunders said the fundraising and the associated publicity had had a real impact on their lives.

“Just the raising of awareness about autism in general and Archer’s condition in particular has been amazing,” she said.

“We have had so many people come up and ask us questions about Archer and autism who now understand his behaviour a bit better.”

Mrs Saunders said this was dramatically illustrated by an incident during a fundraising sausage sizzle when Archer decided to run off down the street.

“Archer decided to do a runner which is one of the things he does,"Mrs Saunders said.

"He has no understanding of the danger of traffic, so he can just run straight across the road in front of a car.

“We were running after him yelling his name and a lady up the street who had read the story in The Argus recognised his name.

"She rounded him up and made sure he was all right until we caught up.”

The next fundraising event for Archer will be a Christmas in July function at the Seabreeze Hotel on July 23. 

Sing Australia will provide the entertainment and a charity auction on the night will feature some great items.

Top of the list is a family holiday package including passes to the four big Queensland theme parks with seven night’s accommodation.

The family has also started a Facebook page to publicise their efforts, you can find it at facebook.com/ArcherNPup