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At least one in 100 people in the UK today are diagnosed as autistic.

Autism East Midlands is a leading autism charity that exists to ensure autistic people can live their lives with dignity, choice and independence. The charity was started on the initiative of a group of parents in 1968. Today they are still led by the parents and friends of autistic people. 

Autism is a complex, life-long disability which affects the development of communication, social and life skills.

They provide help and support to families and individuals affected by autism from across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, surrounding counties and beyond.

Our youngest son, Joshua is autistic and has other special needs such as learning difficulties and a Specific Language Impairment. Joshua is 11 years old and struggles with many aspects of life that you and I take for granted. We have learnt a great deal about autism over the past seven years (since his diagnosis) and have helped Josh to develop in to being the person he is today. We have embraced the great work that Autism East Midlands does and the support they provide many families across the East Midlands – it is
invaluable.

Their Family Support Hubs connect autistic children and their families in their local communities across the East Midlands. They provide a regular meeting point for families affected by autism, where families can access activities for the whole family, as well as gain support and specialist information and advice.

World Autism Awareness Week starts on the 29^th March and runs until the 4^th April. This isn’t just to raise awareness of autism but to celebrate the lives of people living with autism. As part of the week, Autism East Midlands are raising money that will help to continue delivering the valuable services provided.

The “Hub to Hub” virtual relay event covers the distance between their Family Support Hubs in the East Midlands. This could either be walked, run, cycled by individuals or as a team.

This event is virtual, meaning the distance can be covered over the course of 10 days as part of Autism Awareness Week.

The grand total of miles linking to each hub is a total of 200 miles! Run, walk, cycle or swim up to 200 miles in 10 days!

Josh has never shown any real interest in sport. He has a rather ‘chunky’ frame and has struggled with weight since he was born. However, over the past year and during lockdown, he has shown more interest in some sporting activities particularly running. Over the past three months he has spent more and more time running. 

He has agreed to take part in the virtual relay event and has committed to raising money for the charity he benefits from directly.

Josh is going to run four miles per day (on average) over a 10 day period starting on the 26^th March. He will run with his mum or dad (or both) and record the run he performs each day.

If you can sponsor him, please do so – any gesture will be greatly appreciated.