<p>Hello!</p> <p>I'm running the Royal Parks Half Marathon for Ambitious about Autism on October 9th. One in a hundred children has autism. It is&nbsp;a complex, lifelong neurological condition and has a profound&nbsp;impact both on people with autism and their families:</p> <p>- One in five children with autism have been excluded from school, the majority of those on more than one occasion.</p> <p>- Many families with autism live in poverty as it costs on average three times more to raise a child with a severe impairment than a non-disabled child.</p> <p>- Families with autism often do not get the right support putting them under immense strain. It has been estimated that up to 80% of parents of children with autism split up. In a UK study of families with autism one in three were lone parents.</p> <p>You can read more on the <a title="Autism stats and facts" href="http://www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk/page/about_autism/stats_and_facts/index.cfm">Ambitious about Autism website</a>.</p> <p>Autism is frequently misrepresented by the media and overlooked at these kind of events in favour of more popular causes. I think this makes it a great cause to raise money for!</p> <p>Please dig in your pocket and chuck me a few quid if you can. I will thank you by sending you photos of me collapsing at the finish line.</p> <p>Cheers :)</p>