Hello there!

 

On 25 October I'm taking part in the Great South Run, a 10 mile race, by the sea in Portsmouth.   This is now only a week away, which is partly scary and partly a wonderful thought!  Since I started training at the end of July, I've run far enough in total to cover the distance from our front door in a straight line to Manchester, Hull, Dartmoor, Lille or Rouen.  Some days it feels like it, too.  I've also completed one 10-mile run, last weekend, and though the last mile was prety much in slo-mo, I managed to run all the way. So I'm looking forward to next Sunday morning, and even more to next Sunday evening when it's all over!

 

I'm running to raise money for the National Autistic Society. Autism is suprisingly common. In our family there are two children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: my little nephew, Pize, and Mike's young cousin, Theo.  Autism entails real difficulties with communications, expressing emotions, and other problems. It is life-long and there is seldom a break for the carers.  The National Autistic Society runs a helpline for immediate support. It runs schools for autistic children, and specialist education and support for them can make a huge difference in their ability to learn and to find ways of coping with dealing with other people and with  all aspects of life.  It also provides residential and day-care support for adults with autism.  The NAS campaigns on behalf of those with autism, and their carers. It is a key sponsor of the Autism Bill currently going through Parliament, which will make it obligatory for local authorities to provide services for adults with autism, and create a national autism strategy. Provision for adults with autism is currrently shameful. The NAS also provides information and a support network for parents and others, at a time when this is hugely helpful. 

I would be very grateful if you could sponsor me. Your sponsorship could help make a real difference.  If you are a UK taxpayer, please tick the gift aid option, so that even more is raised for the charity, at no extra cost to you or to the NAS.    

 

Thank you so much.  I promise to update the site with photos of me zipping along, and of course a post-race photo of me postbox-red and flat on the pavement in exhaustion (or I'll promise not to post those photos, if that will encourage you more! )

All the best

 

Liz