Story
This is my 10th marathon in ten years and again I have chosen to run the Midnight Sun Marathon in the arctic region of northern Norway. It is run around midnight in daylight in the early summer.
In addition to running for Airborne Forces Charities, which supports the old, the bold and those left behind in society, I am running to raise funds to support the large number of people who are afflicted throughout their lives by being somewhere on the autistic spectrum. Over 500,000 are directly affect and many more indirectly. The term Autistic Spectrum describes a wide range of conditions, usually present from early childhood, which are associated with varying degrees of difficulty in social function, communication, behaviour and the ability to relate to others. It can be a devastating disability but the majority are not so severely affected and with encouragement and the right support they are able to become more independent and make a valuable contribution to society.
I am helping to set up a new charity - The Autism Interventions Research Trust - whose focus is to research into how best to help those affected; this is now an urgent requirement as so many parents and adults simply do not know what is the most appropriate intervention in a wide spectrum of conditions. We have the support of the key University departments. As a Trust we are hugely committed to making a real difference in people's lives. Whilst our mission is clearly to alleviate distress it is also to help individuals to realise their potential. I am also supporting a small group, Prospects, which does a marvellous job in helping those on the spectrum into work - which is one of the best forms of intervention.
I short I need your support this year - more than ever.
Many thanks in advance.
Geoffrey Maddrell
In addition to running for Airborne Forces Charities, which supports the old, the bold and those left behind in society, I am running to raise funds to support the large number of people who are afflicted throughout their lives by being somewhere on the autistic spectrum. Over 500,000 are directly affect and many more indirectly. The term Autistic Spectrum describes a wide range of conditions, usually present from early childhood, which are associated with varying degrees of difficulty in social function, communication, behaviour and the ability to relate to others. It can be a devastating disability but the majority are not so severely affected and with encouragement and the right support they are able to become more independent and make a valuable contribution to society.
I am helping to set up a new charity - The Autism Interventions Research Trust - whose focus is to research into how best to help those affected; this is now an urgent requirement as so many parents and adults simply do not know what is the most appropriate intervention in a wide spectrum of conditions. We have the support of the key University departments. As a Trust we are hugely committed to making a real difference in people's lives. Whilst our mission is clearly to alleviate distress it is also to help individuals to realise their potential. I am also supporting a small group, Prospects, which does a marvellous job in helping those on the spectrum into work - which is one of the best forms of intervention.
I short I need your support this year - more than ever.
Many thanks in advance.
Geoffrey Maddrell