Tag: Walk for Autism

The Sixth ‘Walk for Autism’ campaign returns this spring

Walk for Autism is returning in 2023 with a spring in its step

Walk for Autism 2023 will be one of the most successful campaigns in its history. The annual fundraising campaign invites participants from up and down the country to walk 10,000 steps per day for eight days wherever they choose. 

The walking week begins on March 26 and ends on World Autism Awareness Day, April 2.

In 2022, the campaign saw over 3,800 walkers step up to the Walk for Autism challenge. Together, they raised £407,448.48 and totalled 211.6 million steps. The money raised from Walk for Autism helps to fund autism projects across the UK and Ireland, along with funding for specialist staff.

Last year’s campaign provided funding for a Health and Wellbeing Lead, who runs wellbeing groups ranging from football sessions, to cycling and hiking. Thanks to these projects, autistic people attending the groups have developed stronger social connections, built self-confidence, and felt the benefits to their mental and physical health. 

Walk for Autism Fundraising Manager, Liz Oakley said: “This campaign is so close to our hearts, as we see how much of an impact it makes every year. It really helps to improve the quality of life of the people we work with, and allows us to create communities for people who need them.

“Taking part is also a brilliant opportunity to spend time outdoors and improve your health and wellbeing. It’s important to us that the challenge is inclusive to all abilities, so whether you opt for short walks each day, walking the dog, or take on longer hikes, the challenge can work around you.

“Walk for Autism also includes steps from everyday activities, such as pottering in the garden or walking upstairs. Every step counts and makes a difference.”

The 2023 campaign has been further boosted by the support of Bridgerton and Emmerdale star Simon Lennon, who will once again be stepping out in support of the Walk for Autism campaign.

Simon said: “I’m delighted to take part in Walk for Autism again this year because it’s really important to get everyone in the UK walking and talking about autism and it’s fun too.

“Many people taking part have a special connection to autism and they are doing their bit to help raise funds for autism projects around the UK and Ireland.”

The team are encouraging walkers to complete their steps by walking and talking with family and friends, at their own pace. Those who sign up and raise their first £20 will be sent a free ‘Walk for Autism’ t-shirt to assist in their fundraising.

Liz added: “Autism affects more than 700,000 people in the UK and Ireland. It’s amazing to see the difference that our walkers make each year, and essential that we continue to help as many people as possible through our fundraising efforts.”

Walk for Autism is a campaign led by Autism Initiatives Group, a national charity committed to improving the lives of autistic adults and children and their families across the UK and Ireland. Founded in the 1970s, the charity recently celebrated its 50th anniversary.

You can now sign up for Walk for Autism at www.walkforautism.co.uk

Actor Simon Lennon becomes Walk For Autism’s 3000th walker ahead of this year’s campaign

Bridgerton and Emmerdale star Simon Lennon has become the 3,000th person to pledge their support to this year’s Walk for Autism campaign, which kicks off next week. 
 
The Scouser will join participants from up and down the country to take part in the event, which is in its fifth year, with Autism Initiatives hoping it will be the biggest one yet, with more than £200,000 in sponsorship being raised so far. 
 
Those involved will walk 10,000 steps per day for eight days from March 26 up until World Autism Acceptance Day on April 2 to raise funds that go towards providing vital support and community projects for autistic people and their loved ones. 
 
Last year, the campaign collectively saw an impressive 194 million steps walked and raised more than £621,000, making it the most successful year to date. 
 
Simon said: “I’m so happy to be involved in Walk for Autism again – it’s a really fantastic initiative that not only provides essential funds for projects but also promotes autism acceptance and understanding more widely.” 
 
Walkers can sign up on the charity’s website and begin their fundraising straight away, with Walk for Autism providing helpful tips on some fun and varied ways to raise money. 
 
Head of Enterprise at Autism Initiatives Jon Gordon said: “We are delighted to reach 3,000 signups for our fifth annual Walk for Autism campaign and would like to thank everyone – including Simon – for doing their bit.

“Every year continues to show us just how amazing people are and how willing they are to support others; despite how tough the last few years has been for everyone.
 
“Passing these milestones is really important, as the money that is raised funds innovative specialist autism projects across the UK and Ireland.”
 
Autism affects more than 700,000 people in the UK and Ireland each year. Walk for Autism is a campaign led by charity Autism Initiatives Group who have been working to improve the lives of autistic people and their families since 1972.
 
You can get involved by visiting their website:

https://www.walkforautism.co.uk/register/walk-for-autism-2022/registrationform

Walk for Autism fundraiser set to return for a fifth year

The team at Autism Initiatives are dusting off their trainers once more for its annual fundraising campaign Walk for Autism, which returns this March.

The charity hopes to make it the biggest one yet in its five-year history when participants from up and down the country walk 10,000 steps per day for the eight days between March 26th and World Autism Awareness Day on April 2nd.

Last year, the campaign’s participants collectively walked over an impressive 194 million steps and raised more than £621,000, making it their most successful year to date.

The money raised goes towards helping individuals with autism while supporting autism projects in the UK & Ireland that encourage the pursuit of specialist interests, promote physical activity and help autistic adults and children learn and develop every single day.

Walk for Autism Fundraising Manager Liz Oakley said: “This campaign is especially important to us as we have seen first-hand how much it can improve peoples’ lives; not just with the money raised but for all those who take part. Our aim is to create a wonderful community of likeminded people who are passionate about autism and believe they can make a difference.

“These past two years have been tough for everyone, and walking has been proven to help with mental wellbeing, which is just another positive reason to get involved. 

“Walkers can complete their steps at any time and in whatever way suits them; whether it’s walking the dog, stepping on the treadmill or conquering a long-distance hike. It’s important to remember that each and every step counts so even if you can’t get out and about steps around the garden or even around your home will all contribute.

“You can track your steps easily using a pedometer or smart phone apps to make sure you’re hitting your target. The concept is simple, but the rewards are huge.”

For this year’s theme of ‘We Walk for Autism’, Walk for Autism is encouraging people to do their walking with friends and family. Walkers can sign up on the charity’s website and begin their fundraising straight away, with the charity providing helpful tips on the fun and varied ways to raise money.

Those who sign up and pledge an upfront £20 will get a Walk for Autism t-shirt to assist in their fundraising, as well as a tutorial on how to create their very own homemade confetti canon using household items to celebrate their completion of the challenge.

Liz added: “Autism affects more than 700,000 people in the UK and Ireland each year and it’s vital that we continue to help as many of those people as possible through our fundraising efforts.”

Walk for Autism is a campaign led by charity Autism Initiatives Group who have been working to improve the lives of autistic people and their families across the UK and Ireland for almost 50 years.

You can get involved by visiting their website at:

 https://www.walkforautism.co.uk/register/walk-for-autism-2022/registrationform

Walk For Autism 2021 reaches £100,000 in sponsorship pledges

RECORD BREAKER: AUTISM INITIATIVES’ BIGGEST FUNDRAISER TO DATE

With more than 1,400 people pledging to ‘Walk for Autism’ in 2021, Autism Initiatives’ annual fundraising campaign has hit its biggest milestone in its four-year history.

Walkers across the UK and Ireland have raised a monumental £100,000 in the past five weeks, with hopes to double that amount before the challenge takes place next month.

Officially starting on March 26, walkers will undertake 10,000 steps a day for eight days, ending on World Autism Awareness Day.

Walkers can fundraise from the moment they sign up, with famous faces such as Bridgerton actor Simon Lennon and strongman competitor Tom Stoltman supporting the campaign.

Head of Enterprise at Autism Initiatives Jon Gordon said: “We were delighted to reach over 1,000 signups for our fourth annual Walk for Autism campaign but it’s the money raised that really does make a difference to the lives of so many people across the UK and Ireland.

To have exceeded our target with over £100,000 raised so far is just brilliant and we can’t thank our walkers enough for their dedication this year. It is so inspiring to see people rising to the challenge and doing something so positive in the midst of the pandemic.

“We’ve seen evidence of comradery and friendship from walkers across the UK and Ireland each with a different story to tell, and all joined by something personal that has inspired them to participate. Although we’re overwhelmed and incredibly grateful for contributions this year, we just know that there is more to be done to make the biggest impact possible when it comes to supporting autistic people.”

The campaign will officially end on World Autism Awareness Day (April 2), an internationally recognised day that occurs every year encouraging individuals and organisations to take measures to raise awareness about autism throughout the world.

Jon said: “World Autism Awareness Day is an incredibly important day to us, and to our walkers, but we aim to help raise awareness of autism and provide support where it’s needed around the clock, every day of the year.

“Money raised from the campaign will support a range of projects by Autism Initiatives which improve the quality of life of both autistic adults and children.”

Walk for Autism is a fundraising campaign led by charity Autism Initiatives Group (registered charity number 1170634) who have been working to improve the lives of autistic people and their families across the UK and Ireland for almost 50 years.

For more information, or to sign up visit www.walkforautism.co.uk

Fundraisers encouraged to put their best foot forward as Walk for Autism launches annual campaign

Thousands of people across the UK and Ireland will walk 10,000 steps a day for eight days starting this March, raising vital funds for people with autism and their families as part of the fourth annual Walk for Autism campaign.

Registrations are now officially open, giving everyone time to fundraise ahead of the walk which will begin on March 26 ending on World Autism Awareness Day on 2nd April.

Despite a challenging year in 2020 with a number of Covid related restrictions in place, the charity initiative raised over £90,000, which supported hundreds of individuals and funded more than 20 projects that improve quality of life, promote physical activity and help autistic adults and children learn and develop every single day.

Fundraising Manager at Autism Initiatives Group, Liz Oakley said: “Typically we would encourage our walkers to become part of a community that would meet up and take on the challenge together. Although last year this wasn’t possible, we were blown away by the comradery that we saw among participants on a virtual level.

“This inspirational team spirit is something that we are passionate about bringing into our 2021 campaign and we want to reassure people that they can still take part safely in line with the current lockdown measures.

“Although the challenge can be done solo, anywhere at any time within those eight days, it’s the message behind it that links us all and has the power to create lasting bonds and ultimately make a real difference to autistic people alongside their families and support networks.

“Now in its fourth year, we’re encouraging people to sign up to Walk for Autism and support us in raising funds that will help us to change lives one step at a time. Autism affects more than 700,000 people in the UK and Ireland and it’s so important that we help as many of those people as we can through the projects undertaken by Autism Initiatives.

“As we all continue to adjust to a ‘new normal’, the change is especially difficult for people with autism and for their families to comprehend and manage. With that in mind, we hope that by collectively taking part in Walk for Autism we can contribute to something positive among the disruption and help to secure support where it’s needed.”

The team are encouraging walkers to raise £10 a day across the eight-day challenge although greater donations will really help to make a difference.

Once registered, walkers will be able to set up their own unique fundraising page and connect with others online via a dedicated Facebook group. After an initial donation, participants will receive their very own Walk for Autism t-shirt.

Liz added: “This campaign is especially important to us as we have seen first-hand how much it can improve people’s lives. It’s also an opportunity for us to don our trainers and get outdoors.

“The last year has been tough for everyone and walking has been proven to help with mental wellbeing – just another positive reason to get involved. As we face the prospect of continued lockdown restrictions in the months ahead, we hope that this challenge will keep people motivated to put their physical and mental health first, whether that’s by stepping outside for fresh air or simply using it to help build a routine that adds some structure to our day-to-day lives.

“Walkers can complete their steps at any time and in whatever way suits them, whether it’s walking the dog or stepping on the treadmill. Participants can use their walking time to reflect, de-stress or to catch up with friends and loved ones via call or video chat.

“It’s important to remember that each and every step counts so even if you can’t get out and about, steps around the garden or even around your home will all contribute. You can track your steps easily using a pedometer or smart phone apps to make sure you’re hitting your target. The concept is simple, but the rewards are huge.”

Walk for Autism is a fundraising campaign led by charity Autism Initiatives Group (registered charity number 1170634) who have been working to improve the lives of autistic people and their families across the UK and Ireland for almost 50 years.

For more information or to sign up visit www.walkforautism.co.uk

Walk for Autism to go ahead

Walk for Autism UK and Ireland is calling for final registrations for its third annual campaign, which is set to continue as planned from March 26.

In a bid to encourage community spirit amid the UK’s current uncertainty, it has already reported its most successful pledge to date with a record number of sign-ups this year and is urging others to get involved.

Walk for Autism will see over 1,800 individuals across the country walking 10,000 steps a day for eight days finishing on World Autism Awareness Day on April 2. In addition, those currently taking part have raised tens of thousands of pounds for the charity, vital funds that will support autistic people and their families.

Head of Enterprise at Autism Initiatives Jon Gordon (above) said: “We are delighted with the number of walkers that are joining us in this year’s campaign and want to extend our thanks to each and every person who is stepping up to the challenge.

“We still have time to gain more momentum and together, raise even more money. This fundraising is essential in providing much needed support for autistic people, including their families.

“We appreciate that these are unprecedented times, but walkers can undertake the challenge solo, at a time and place that is convenient for them, whether it’s in your local park, your garden or even at home – every step counts.

“Right now, a sense of belonging is more important than ever and although participants may no longer be walking in groups, we are still very much a community. Once signed up, our fundraising team known as ‘Walking Buddies’ are available on email to offer round the clock support and registrants can also access a Facebook group to meet others supporting the initiative.”

In Scotland, money raised as part of the campaign will contribute to facilities at Autism Initiatives’ ‘One Stop Shops’ that provide free support and advice services for thousands of autistic people across Edinburgh, The Lothians, Borders, Perth and Kinross and Highland.

One Stop Shops offer a range of services including 1:1 support, drop-in sessions, group activities and training to name a few. With over 3,600 autistic people registered for support, these essential establishments help more than 600 individuals a month.

Although Walk for Autism UK and Ireland officially takes place March 26 to April 2, those taking part are free to undertake their eight-day steps challenge on dates that suit them.

Those stepping up to the challenge will start walking from March 26 up until World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, 2020. Those who sign up by March 20 will receive a fundraising pack which includes a t-shirt and pedometer.

To find out more about Walk for Autism or to sign up visit www.walkforautism.co.uk