**COVID-19 update, Due to the uncertainty of the pandemic, I’ve decided the best option is to plan to complete the Thames Path trail on 24th - 30th May.**

My name is Chris, an enthusiastic runner that’s past his best but trying to stay young, fit & healthy at 52yrs old by competing & challenging myself in some amazing events. I have often been asked about running for charity, but running a marathon just didn’t feel right, it just wasn’t challenging enough to get me interested, so I’ve put together my own personal challenge.

On 24th to 30th May 2021 I’m going to walk the Thames Path trail unaided in 7 days, that’s 7 marathons in 7 days, 184 miles from the Thames Barrier in London to the Source in Kemble Gloucestershire.

Preliminary I will be going from:

Monday 24th May    Thames Barrier to Kingston upon Thames 

Tuesday 25th May    Kingston upon Thames to Windsor

Wednesday 26th May     Windsor to Henley 

Thursday 27th May       Henley to Wallingford 

Friday 28th May               Wallingford to Oxford 

Saturday 29th May        Oxford to Lechlade 

Sunday 30th May             Lechlade to the source at Kemble Gloucestershire 

The Running 4 Autism facebook page will also have posts on my training runs & walks in the build up to this challenge including a personal challenge with Ethan to climb 3 of the highest mountains in England, Scotland & Wales.

I want to inspire people to get out, explore the world around them, they don’t have to be a runner, walking is a great way to see new places & improve fitness at the same time. One of the great things about the Thames Path is there are plenty of great things to see as well as great pubs along the way too. Follow my progress as I highlight these as I make my way to the source.

My inspiration for this challenge is my 16yr old son Ethan who’s autism makes his life extremely challenging, when he’s running or playing football you wouldn’t believe he was any different from those around him, but away from the track or football pitch he’s facing tough challenges everyday that we would think are trivial but can cause sensory overload & meltdowns. Understanding autism can make a great difference, with 1% of the population being autistic, we will all come into contact with someone whose autistic but may not understand why they behave like they do. Hopefully I can share some of mine & Ethans experiences to help raise awareness around autism.

Getting the help & support for Ethan had not been easy, at times it seemed that the school, NHS & Social Services were letting him down, but the worst thing was I let him down. I wasn’t prepared to accept my son had a disability, my attitude was that he needed to man up & just get on with life. Ethans mum single-handedly battled with what looked like an impossible battle until she got Swindon Advocacy Movement (SAM) involved. SAMs were able to get meetings organised, help with filling out forms & give constructive advice while battling for Ethans welfare. Through their hard work he received the funding to take him out of mainstream school to a specialist school suitable for his needs.

The Swindon Advocacy Movement provides a free independent & accessible advocacy service in Swindon working alongside people with Autism, Mental Health Issues, Learning Disability’s & Dementia. SAM challenges inequality & social injustice.

This is a great charity that helps to cut through all the bureaucracy that is there to confuse & frustrate families trying to be heard, but can only survive from the generous donations from the public.

Please support me on my challenge by making a small donation that can make such a HUGE difference.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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