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Local parent Georgia Grant and her friends Emma Cowley
and Kate Watt are in training now for their 2007 challenge
- trekking 70 kms of the Great Wall of China. Not only will
they be physically challenged but they have also accepted
the challenge to raise funds and awareness of autism spectrum
disorders and the work of Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect).
Georgia is the mother of Cameron who attends Aspect’s
South East Sydney School for Children with Autism. She
and her friends Emma and Kate will be following in the foot
steps of Aspect teachers, Becky Bush, Chris Jolly and Brad
Muffett who cycled Vietnam in July 2006 raising over $15,000
for Aspect.
As Georgia said “I’ve lived and breathed autism
24/7 for over two years now so it’s time for me to do
something for me.”
Georgia, Kate and Emma are busy fundraising for their trek
with sausage sizzles and trivia nights and encouraging businesses
to sponsor them in their quest to support Aspect and raise
awareness of autism spectrum disorders.
Autism, a life-long disorder of the central nervous system
affects how a person communicates and relates to other people
and the world around them. Aspect, the largest service provider
in Australia, last year supported over 6,000 people whose
lives have been impacted by the disorder.
With a recent Australian study confirming prevalence to
be 1 in 160 in our population (which means that over 10,000
Australian children aged 6 to 12 have an autism spectrum disorder)
Aspect is focused on increasing services to meet the ongoing
needs of this growing number.
Director, Fundraising, of Aspect, Rosemary Cottrell said, ‘We
are thrilled that Georgia and her friends are committed to
supporting Aspect by accepting the Trek China challenge. Reaching
our target of $30,000 through the sponsored challenges will
fund places for young children in our early intervention program
- critical for the long term development of those newly diagnosed
with this challenging disorder.’
Aspect has organised the China Trek and a Cycle from Vietnam
to Cambodia in partnership with cerebral palsy service provider,
The Spastic Centre.
A free information evening is being held on
29 March at Aspect’s South East Sydney School for
Children with Autism, Monterra Avenue, Peakhurst for those
who would like to learn more about the China Trek or Vietnam
to Cambodia Cycle or just dream about these countries as
tourist destinations.
If you would like to attend the info night or to
support Georgia, Emma and Kate in their quest (or our Trek
Bike Asia campaign) please contact Megan Pickering at Aspect
on 8977 8370. |
