My Name is Aston. I am Autistic and function in the Mild Learning Disability Range. The reason why I feel raising money for Mencap is so important is because of the lack of services available to people like me once we reach the age of 18. I've been trapped in my bedroom for the past 4 years due to the shocking social care system and their lack of knowledge of lifelong disabilities and how mental health can impact us differently. I still feel very isolated but charities such as Mencap can make such a difference and improve people's quality of life.

I've recently started to build a little bit of support with a similar charity and I hope to use this time to get out and about for walks which I thoroughly missed during my 4 years of isolation. Because Autism and Learning Disabilities are hidden, people just don't seem to understand how much I struggle on a daily basis and how something so simple to others is a massive challenge for me. At times even walks are massively overwhelming due to the sensory input, communication challenges, processing speed and Autistic exhaustion. So I also plan to use my pacing (Also known as stimming) as a way to include steps if needed.

Thank you for reading this.

Charity note:

I am taking on Mencap's One Big Walk to help raise vital funds for people with a learning disability across the U.K.

1 in 3 young people with a learning disability spend less than an hour a day outside their home. We tackle these issues head on by providing support to meet individual needs, and help people with a learning disability live happy and healthy independent lives.

Just £100 could pay for 20 exercise mats for young people with a learning disability to take part in yoga and other mobilising activities.