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NAS to benefit from Miss England backing
Monday, 15 June 2009 10:54
Autism charity to benefit from Miss England backing
The Miss England competition has chosen The National Autistic Society (NAS), the UK's leading charity for people affected by autism, as one of their charities of the year for 2009.
There are over half a million people in the UK with autism, and if you include their families, autism touches the lives of over two million people every day. Despite this, the condition is still relatively unknown and misunderstood. Autism is a lifelong and disabling condition, however the right support at the right time, can make an enormous difference to people's lives.
Angie Beasley, Director of Miss England said "My son was 5 years old when he showed signs of Autism and since then he has been diagnosed with ASD , Autism Spectrum Disorder. I didn't know anything about Autism and I was recommended by my son's school to go on a NAS course which is held to support parents. I have found the Help! course I went on invaluable and now want to support the charity , to make other parents aware that there is support out there".
The NAS works to ensure that people affected by autism do not feel isolated or alone and campaigns for a world where autism is understood and people with autism have the support they need and the same opportunities as others in society. The charity relies on donations to keep its wide range of services running and to reach out to more families who are in vital need of help and support.
This will require £40 million pounds over the next five years alone, so public and corporate backing is invaluable. Alison Shersby, Head of Community Fundraising for the NAS, said "On behalf of The National Autistic Society I would like to thank the Miss England organisers and all the contestants who have shown such dedication in raising both funds and awareness for the charity during this competition. The money raised will help us to provide support to even more people affected by autism and we hope that increased awareness will go someway to making people's lives easier."
Seven of the semi-finalists have selected the NAS as their chosen charity and the final fundraising totals will be announced on this webpage on 20 July.
For more information about The National Autistic Society, please visit: www.autism.org.uk
To find out more about the Help! Programme which Angie attended, please visit: www.autism.org.uk/help!