So, first time I've done anything sponsored since the school sponsored roll back in the late 70s...

For those of you who don't know, our son Adrian was diagnosed with Autism about 1 1/2 years ago.  All the advice from the beginning was to get him to attend the Puzzle Centre a pre-school charity specialising in early years Autism, based in North Bucks, but taking kids from Oxfordshire, Northants, Milton Keynes and Bedfordshire as well as Bucks.  

I wasn't sure what was so special about this place until he started attending.  Since then, he has gone from non-verbal and retiring to chatty and willing to engage with both adults and his peer-group.  They've helped him learn to communicate better using their specialist knowledge and focus. They also help us parents with the EHCP process, provide fantastic professional feedback and are a focal point for developing education and awareness in Autism in the wider community.  Autism affects people so differently that the specialist knowledge and focus that the staff are able to provide for the children makes a significant difference - one that cannot be achieved through mainstream pre-schools alone, I would suggest.  

Adrian has only one more term before he moves on to 'big' school, but the work that the Puzzle Centre has done over the last year means that he will be going to a school far better equipped in himself than what might have been the case otherwise -  able to communicate his basic needs and better able to socialise and interact with his peers.  That is better for him, and certainly a relief for us.   

But the Puzzle Centre is a charity and requires funds - about £250,000 p.a. - to keep it running and help kids like Adrian.  So we all do what we can - or at least what we could, and hopefully still, can -  hence me running in this Marathon on 7th May.  The Puzzle Centre needs to be supported - children with Autism need to have that specialist care and attention to start mitigating the impact of Autism on their future education and - realistically - their lives.  Just by having this support might radically alter how a child progresses in school.   It's obviously too soon to say how the Puzzle Centre has changed Adrian's future, but it has most definitely helped him.   It has meant a lot to our family and I can only wish the same for others.  So, if you think that other children with Autism deserve a similar opportunity, and you are able, please give a little something.  

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.