This February, I'm taking part in the move 28 minutes a day in February challenge in aid of the National Autistic Society. I’m joining the Move 28 campaign for the National Autistic Society because there are some journeys you can’t truly understand unless you’ve lived them yourself.

When we first identified that our eldest daughter was autistic, our world shifted overnight. What followed was a deep, often overwhelming sense of anguish — not because of her diagnosis, but because of how hard it was to get the right support for a child with diverse needs. No one prepares you for how lonely that road can feel.

Trying to get her initial school to truly understand her, to recognise her needs and put meaningful support in place, was a real struggle. It often felt like we were constantly explaining, justifying, and fighting — not because we wanted special treatment, but because our child deserved the same chance to thrive as any other child. Sadly, this experience isn’t rare. Too often, parents and carers of children with diverse needs find themselves battling systems that should be there to help, simply to ensure their children are supported and included.

That is why I decided to fundraise.

In 2019, finding support through the National Autistic Society was nothing short of a godsend. At a time when our daughter had received her diagnosis but there was very little guidance on what came next, their advice, understanding, and reassurance meant everything. The support they offered was second to none. Back then, much of the responsibility fell on families to seek out help, navigate services, and advocate endlessly for their children — and that took a real toll on us as a family.

Things have improved since then, but no family should have to walk that path alone.

I’m taking on Move 28 to give back to a charity that stood beside us when we needed it most — and to help ensure other families receive the support, compassion, and guidance they deserve.

If there’s one message I hope people take from this, it’s this: be kind, support diverse needs, and include everyone. Understanding, patience, and acceptance can make an extraordinary difference — not just for autistic individuals, but for their families too.

Thank you for supporting me, and for helping to create a more inclusive world 💙The National Autistic Society are there to help the 700,000 autistic people in the UK and their families - be it running specialist schools, campaigning for improved rights or training companies on being more autism-friendly, they are dedicated to transforming lives and changing attitudes. Your donations towards my efforts are greatly appreciated and not only that, but they will also be a huge help in creating a society that works for all autistic people and their families, thank you! 💜

The National Autistic Society are there to help the 700,000 autistic people in the UK and their families - be it running specialist schools, campaigning for improved rights or training companies on being more autism-friendly, they are dedicated to transforming lives and changing attitudes. Your donations towards my efforts are greatly appreciated and not only that, but they will also be a huge help in creating a society that works for all autistic people and their families, thank you! 💜