Summerbridge autism charity taking part in coast to coast challenge

An autism charity based in Summerbridge is taking on a 150 mile coast-to-coast challenge to raise awareness, acceptance and funds for their project.

Autism Angels set off from Carnforth in the North West today (2 April 2022) as it is World Autism Awareness Day.

Over the next 12 days they will be walking across England with two of their therapy horses and some service users with the aim of reaching Bridlington on 12 April.

The start date was specificity chosen to help raise awareness of the challenges children and their families go through everyday.

Sarah Kekoa, founder of Autism Angels, said:

"It's to help raise acceptance and awareness of our families here at Autism Angels. We've been practicing and training for 12 weeks so the children who have sessions with us have been out, building up their endurance and confidence.

"This is the first year the families are able to take part in one of these challenges with us. I wanted it to be extra special. These children are so capable and we've built them up really slowly.

"A lot of people think we're about the riding but it isn't about that. It's about dealing with fears and the unknown so to show them what they are capable of doing is fantastic.

"Families are often at breaking point by the time they get to us, having lost their way and their hope that things will get easier. We help them see that they know far more than they realise, we help them restore hope and bring them back to what they can do and get them doing things the way that is right for their family. We are all born with different needs, therefore we all do something a little different and those differences are the blessings in the end."

Children, their families and the horses have been training for 12 weeks leading up to the event and are raising awareness and funds for Autism Angels and I Choose Life Foundation. These two local causes work together to breakthrough on the myths around Autism and Mental Health and support families while they navigate their way through unchartered territories to help them see what is possible.

Felicity Hubbard, one of the parents, said:

"Me and my son have been coming here for a year now and I'd say Autism Angels has totally changed our lives. We were quite isolated as a family as he has quite challenging behaviour and he struggled to find friends, but since coming here to sessions have really changed our path and it's given us a sense of community.

"We talk things through, there isn't judgement here and it really does bring the best out of my son. He has friends, he has a purpose in his life, he's getting fresh air."

All donations from the Coast to Coast Challenge will directly support the charity's children and families.