Story
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;">PRESS RELEASE</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;"> </span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;">Marathon Mum Raises Funds for Autism</span></span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;"> Arguably, there is no better motivation than a mother’s love for her children, and this is certainly the case for Natasha Cook, whose son Mason was diagnosed with autism at just 2 ½ years old. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;">The wife of a Marine and mother of two beautiful boys, Tyler and Mason, Natasha, who lives in Hamworthy, has decided to run the Edinburgh Marathon in May following the diagnosis of her youngest son, four year old Mason, who is on the autism spectrum. All funds raised will be donated to The Wessex Autistic Society.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;">Diagnosed with ASD at the age of 2 ½, Natasha noticed a difference in Mason’s behaviour from the age of just 1. “I had spent some of my professional life working with children on the autism spectrum and I was aware of some of the behaviours. When Mason started displaying similar behaviours I suspected he might be on the spectrum. Following a referral, Mason was assessed at a Children’s Development Centre in Barnstaple, where we were living at the time, and just 5 months after assessment by various professionals, Mason was diagnosed.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;">Natasha comments; “Although I haven’t yet had to call on the Charity for help and support, I know that we have a tough road ahead, and I know I am likely to need support in the future. I wanted to start my relationship with The Wessex Autistic Society by giving something. The more research I did on autism, the more support I realised we would need in the future. I thought I would like to do my bit for the charity that does such amazing things for families like ours.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;">Working outside the home for 36-60 hours a week, Natasha trains 7 times a week in preparation for the marathon.<span> </span>“I am so lucky to have such supportive family and friends, some of whom will be running with me for causes close to their hearts, who remind me when I’m at my lowest ebb just why I am putting myself through such a physical challenge. I am doing it for an amazing cause and there couldn’t be better motivation than my sons.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;">Tyler, Natasha’s eldest son, also has additional needs and is 16 months older than Mason. Natasha has high hopes for both her boys; “I hope that both my sons can lead full and active lives participating in as much as possible with all the support and help available to them throughout their lives. I realise Mason will never be fully independent but I am hopeful he will be able to communicate at a level so that he can learn to do some things for himself and be able to express himself. What is most important for me is that both my boys are happy and they know we are doing the very best we can for them – even if that means running marathons for them!”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;">The Wessex Autistic Society is a leading local voluntary organisation delivering education, support and care services for people on the autism spectrum in Dorset, Hampshire, Wilshire and Somerset, and outreach to anyone else who may need us, regardless of where they may be.<span> </span>Autism is a lifelong developmental disability for which there is no cure. Affecting 1 in 100 people in the UK, autism is more common that paediatric cancer, diabetes and AIDS combined in this country. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;">Louise Trott, Community and Events Fundraiser comments; “Everyone with autism is unique, as are the services and support that they and their family will require. As a charity we rely on the generosity of many people and organisations to help, support and improve the quality of life for the thousands of children, adults and families living with autism in the Wessex region. We are so touched by Natasha’s story, and so grateful for her efforts to raise funds for the charity which one day, will be certain to return the favour in support of her and her family when they need us.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;">Anyone wanting to support Natasha in her efforts is invited to sponsor her via http://www.justgiving.com/natasha-cook. For further information of The Wessex Autistic Society contact 01202 483360. Alternatively visit <a href="http://www.twas.org.uk/">www.twas.org.uk</a></span></p>
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