From 21st April - May 1st 2007, I will be doing a charity trek across the Himalayas in support of The National Autistic Society. This is a charity which is personally very important to me as my son Wesley , has a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder. I hope to raise much needed money for the NAS and also increase awareness of the condition.

Autism is a life-long developmental disorder that affects approx 535,000 people across the UK. The NAS works with those people and their families offering guidance, support and services. One of my  motivations for doing this trek is to raise awareness of the condition to hopefully dispel the generally held view that Autistic people are all gifted at something such as Maths or Music. Only a very very small percentage of people with an ASD diagnosis display these exceptional abilities and for the majority, daily life is a confusing, frightening and potentially dangerous world that is very difficult to understand and cope with.

I have  never done anything like this before and it will be very challenging. The trek involves leaving behind my usual comfort zones and doing things which I dislike including long haul flights with no leg room, hot, airless overnight sleeper trains across India, arduous and sustained physical exercise, camping , the threat of delhi beli and/or malaria and last but not least the absence of alcohol. Believe me this is no holiday!!!

More details of the trek can be found at the link below

http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=552&a=6633

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor us: The National Autistic Society will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.


Many Thanks for your support. Terri Whittaker