World Autism Awareness Week 2021 is from 29^th March - 4^th April.

As part of this week the National Autistic Society is doing their "Super 7" fundraising challenge during that week. The number 7 was chosen because there are 700000 (estimated) people in the UK on the Autistic Spectrum - I'm one of them.

I've picked something out of my comfort zone - cyling a lot of miles - to raise money for the National Autistic Society. In the run up to the actual week, I'll be aiming to get out on my bike at least once a week (weather permitting).

My target for the purposes of the Super7 challenge - keeping the number 7 in mind - is a minimum of 70km over the course of the week - however my personal goal is 200km.

I'll track my cycling - and my practice routes - on Strava. I've connected Strava to this JustGiving page so you'll be able to track my progress from here if you don't have the Strava app.

I am not the fittest person in the world, I do no exercise and can not stand sport (apart from Formula 1, but is driving a car really a sport), so cycling all these miles won't be easy. I get out of breath on a bike before I get to the end of the road - so my cycling will need frequent stops to eat and drink or just rest. I just hope the weather is good!

Hopefully by the time we get to the end of March some easing of the Covid restrictions may have taken place so maybe I can travel to some different interesting locations to cycle (not just in Cirencester), or even cycle with a friend or two.

The reasons why I am supporting the National Autistic Society are as follows:

• 1 in 100 people (including myself) are on the spectrum.
• More than 80% of young autistic people have experienced mental health issues, just as I have experienced (and still do) in the last couple of years - the NAS campaigns to make things better for them and their families.
• Only 16% of Autistic people are in full time, permenant employment - This is a shocking statistic and should be much higher!
• Autistic children are three times more likely to be excluded from mainstream school - more awareness and understanding can change this.

Please donate what you can - Your support will mean a lot!