A ‘BRAVE’ mum had started her 50 hour glass box lock-in to raise awareness of autism.

Tasha Coupe, from Blackburn, entered the six sqm box in the foyer of the Tesco store in Hill Street, yesterday.

The 25-year-old, who has a four-year-old daughter, Oaklie West, had nothing more than a bed, a book and the support of shoppers to get her through the ‘Locked in for Autism’ challenge.

The Tesco worker will be fed by the store’s kitchen staff and has a marker pen to play games on the glass panels with passers-by.

From inside the box, the former St Wilfrid’s Academy student said she will find it strange going to sleep while customers shop at the 24-hour store.

She said: “I’m not nervous at all and I feel excited.

“People have been great so far, I’ve had some lovely sticky notes left for me on one of the walls and I hope to fill a whole panel by the time I come out.

“I’m allowed out for five minutes every two hours for a toilet break but that is it.

“I’m not allowed a phone which I think will be hard to get used to.

“I don’t have a direct connection with autism but it is a condition that a lot of children suffer with.

“I’m hoping to raise £2,000.”

Miss Coupe said her inspiration for the challenge was the work carried out by Caudwell Children, a charity which helps support disabled youngsters and their families.

Andy Bailey, campaign manager for the charity, said: “Tasha has done amazingly so far.

“To put your life on hold for 50 hours is such a noble thing to do.

“She has had pictures taken with shoppers and she’s helping to generate an interest.”

Autism is a development disability that is present from early childhood.

Those who suffer from it can have difficulty in communicating with other people.

Osman Chopdat, the store’s lead manager, said: “Tasha has done absolutely fantastic.

“She has been brave to stay inside the box for 50 hours, it’s an achievement in itself.

“She hopes to show customers what it can be like to have autism for some people."

Miss Coupe is set to finish at 2pm tomorrow.

To donate to the good cause visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lockedintasha.