RACHEL CHAMBERLAIN
BATHURST families are half-way to their fundraising target for the Walk for Autism.
They gathered on Sunday at the Bathurst Community Op Shop and Bicentennial Park to walk and raise money with a barbecue.
Funds were also raised on Saturday with a raffle of a gift voucher to the Kelso Hotel.
Mother Fiona Prosser has been leading the charge for the Walk for Autism in Bathurst, the cause being very close to her heart.
“My daughter has autism and there is nothing here in Bathurst that is around for autism except for BECIS (Bathurst Early Childhood Intervention Service),” she said.
While appreciative of that service, she said it is difficult for families where the child with autism is over the age of seven as services need to be sought outside of Bathurst.
By raising money, Ms Prosser and other local families hope to change that.
“We want to get as much funding back to Bathurst so we can get services for these older age groups,” she said.
To further their cause, another raffle will be held at the Kelso Hotel on Saturday.
There will also be an event held at Bathurst Panthers on April 27 from 7.30pm.
It will be a karaoke night with a bucket at the door, encouraging a gold coin donation upon entry.
Ms Prosser thanked all the businesses that have helped with fundraising so far.
from https://www.westernadvocate.com.au/stor…
Walk for Autism needs support from Bathurst families
RACHEL CHAMBERLAIN
SUPPORT: Liza Nicholls and Fiona Prosser with Rossi Edenborough, Hannah Wakefield, Xavier Broadbent and Jessy Edenborough. 030418cwalk
FAMILIES affected by autism are hoping the community will come together to support the Walk for Autism.
The walk is an initiative of Autism Spectrum Australia to help raise money for research into autism.
People are asked to walk 10,000 steps a day for eight days between April 8 and 15, while collecting sponsorship.
Those who sign up will receive a free T-shirt and a pedometer.
Bathurst mum Fiona Prosser is trying to recruit local families to participate.
Her 9-year-old daughter lives with autism, making Ms Prosser acutely aware of how hard the disorder can be.
She has met other families in a similar situation, who agree that many people can’t recognise someone with autism.
“It is a silent disability. You can’t physically see it,” Ms Prosser said.
People with autism, children in particular, are often treated differently by people in the community because of the disorder and end up isolated.
Parents also feel judged because people assume tantrums and other behaviour is the result of spoilt child or bad parenting, not a mental disorder they have no control over.
Some parents have even had complaints made about their children when their autism is mistaken for bad behaviour.
Ms Prosser hopes people can participate in Walk for Autism, not only to raise money, but to help raise awareness about the disorder.
“I just want to get it out there that a smile or saying ‘Are you okay?’ or ‘Do you need help?’, it takes 1000 kilos off our shoulders as parents,” she said.
Ms Prosser is an admin on the Bathurst ASD ADHD ODD OCD OT SPD ect Support Group Facebook page, which offers support and advice to local families who are affected by any of these disorders.
People who want to join the group will be asked a few questions to make sure they are joining for the right reasons and then they will have access to the support group.
“We’re a good bunch of people and we are just there to help and share information,” she said.
The group is raising money for Walk for Autism. People can donate to their page by clicking here.
from https://www.westernadvocate.com.au/stor…
Adding to fundraising tally for Autism Spectrum Australia
GROUP EFFORT: Parents and their children came together recently to support the Walk for Autism. Photo: PHIL BLATCH
LOCAL families will aim to raise more money for the Walk for Autism at the Kelso Hotel on Saturday night.
The group have organised for three $25 vouchers – valid for use at both the bistro and the bar – to be raffled off from 6.30pm.
All money raised from the event will go straight to Autism Spectrum Australia, the organisation behind the Walk for Autism.
The local families have already raised over $300.