The 2017 RideLondon - Surrey is one of the most spectacular cycling events of the year. The Autistica team will be cycling the same 100 mile route as some of the worlds biggest names in the sport. Finishing in the renowned Mall of Central London, they will be spurred on by crowds of supporters and our very own Autistica support team.

 Whilst being a hugely challenging and enjoyable experience,  it is also a fantastic opportunity to raise money which will help fund vital research into autism that is so desperately needed.  The money raised by Autistica has already had a huge impact on many of the lives of people with autism and their families. Although science has come a long way in recent years, there is still a long way to go, and many families continue to suffer: 

Josh is 23 years old and has Aspergers Syndrome, which was diagnosed when he was 5. Josh doesn’t mind, he accepts that this is a part of who he is. However, Josh was diagnosed with OCD and an eating disorder at the age of just 10 and these co-occuring mental health problems have led to Josh being stuck at home with no quality of life. Josh’s life has been a journey of treatments not suited for Autistica people - CAMHS therapy, solution focused clinic, counselling, CBT, adult mental health PCN sessions, psychiatric counselling CBT sessions, specialist ASD/OCD CBT - and thus all have been unsuccessful. Autistica’s research into mental health in autism has given Josh’s mum, Nicky, hope. 13 years of trial and error treatments is not acceptable. She wants to know that in future there will be better continuity of care, funding and autism training, and most of all, there will be treatments that work .

Please support the Autistica team on the 30th July, so that research can continue to improve the lives of individuals and families effected by autism like that of Nicky and Josh. Together we can help make a difference.

Thank you.