WIRRAL CHARITY ENCOURAGES PEOPLE TO ‘GET ACTIVE FOR AUTISM’ THROUGH AWARENESS MONTH

A Merseyside charity specialising in autism support, is asking the public to get out and get active to help raise funds and awareness for people with autism this spring.

Autism Together Awareness Month is a 30-day celebration of autism taking place throughout April, continuing the positivity and interest created each year by the events of World Autism Awareness Day on April 2nd.

This year, the Wirral-based charity is asking people young and old to help raise awareness and acceptance of autism by either running or walking 53 miles during April, with a target of raising at least £53 for the people the charity supports.

Autism Together, which has a head office in Bromborough and operations across Wirral, West Cheshire and North Wales, supports people of all ages on the autism spectrum, with around 1,000 staff providing residential, supported living and day services to over 400 individuals.

Sue Stubbs, Autism Together’s CEO, said:

“This April we’re asking people to Get Active For Autism by walking or running 53 miles in aid of autism awareness and support.

“Why 53? Because our organisation started back in 1968 and this year will be our 53rd birthday.

“We hope people across the region will get involved to help increase autism awareness and acceptance in their schools, communities and places of work.”

It’s easy for people to get involved with the Get Active For Autism campaign as the whole event has been set up online: www.givepenny.com/event/get-active-for-autism

Chloe Jones, Fundraising Officer at Autism Together, said:

“We can’t yet get out and about to spread the message throughout the region during our awareness month, so we’re asking families, businesses and all who support autism acceptance to enjoy the spring weather and get active by doing a couple of miles each day to help raise vital funds for the people we support.

“The site has full details of how to get involved, so all you need to do is sign up and share away with your friends and family to gather sponsorship. Then, from April 1st start logging your miles and see where you stand in our mileage leaderboard.”

The event is open to adults and children alike and the charity can set up team challenges for workplaces, schools or family groups. Everyone who completes the challenge will receive a pin badge and certificate too.

Chloe continued:

“We’d love to be visiting schools, clubs and businesses across the region in person to promote autism awareness this April, but instead we will be holding virtual talks via Zoom to connect with local groups and talk more about autism and the work that we do.

“If your school, community group or workplace would like to invite us to run an autism awareness presentation and Q&A session then please do get in touch with our Fundraising Team directly.”

To find out more about Autism Together Awareness Month and how you can get involved, contact Chloe Jones via email: chloe.jones@autismtogether.co.uk.

There’s an Autism Together Awareness Month page on the charity’s website including kids’ Funbooks to download, an autism quiz and much more: autismtogether.co.uk/autism-awareness-month and daily updates via the Facebook page: facebook.com/autismtogetheruk.

About Autism Together

Autism Together is a charity and service provider supporting over 400 people on the autism spectrum. Founded in Wirral in 1968 by a group of concerned parents, the organisation now employs over 1,000 staff and has operations in Merseyside, Cheshire and North Wales.

• We offer specialist services for families and children, residential care and supported living.
• We have our own garden centre, park, farm, canal boat, a rock-rap band and a choir.
• The people we support can learn diverse skills in activities such as swimming, cycling, trampoline, rock climbing, painting, sculpting and much more.
• In the last five years we’ve a multitude of awards for our services for people on the autism spectrum.