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Join Highland One Stop Shop's Walk for Autism events
Autism Initiatives Scotland will be celebrating the 11th anniversary of Highland One Stop Shop with two group walks taking place in Inverness on Tuesday 26th March and Tuesday 2nd April.
If you enjoy walking for a good cause, then come along and join in. Both walks are open to anyone who wants to take part and raise money whilst promoting autism acceptance and understanding at the same time.
The Highland One Stop Shop service opened 11 years ago on 2nd April 2013, which is also World Autism Acceptance Day. This makes the week of activities the perfect birthday celebration for the self-funded charity.
The Highland One Stop Shop team are taking on Walk for Autism; an annual fundraising challenge which is now in its seventh year and led by Autism Initiatives Group. Fundraisers walk 10,000 steps a day for 8 days (between 26th March and 2nd April) to raise money for autism projects across the UK & Ireland.
Gill MacLennan, One Stop Shop Co-ordinator said: “We’re so excited to be taking part in Walk for Autism during World Autism Acceptance Week. We are delighted for anyone that would like to join us on 26th March to kick off the week with a walk from our base at 1 Friar’s Street, along to the Inverness Ness Islands and back via Eden Court for a cuppa and a cake, before returning to our One Stop Shop. Walk for Autism asks individuals to sign up to walk 10,000 steps per day for 8 days. Whether you want to commit to that or just to join us on the day, we would be happy to have to your support. We will finish off the Walk for Autism week with another event on 2nd April culminating in an Open and Fundraising Day celebrating not only our 11th anniversary but also World Autism Acceptance Day. We hope to see you there!”
Catherine Steedman, National Director of Autism Initiatives Scotland said: “I am always so amazed by the support we receive during Walk for Autism – and eternally grateful! The money you raise really does make a difference. It helps fund our much needed One Stop Shop services, and therefore helps thousands of autistic people.”
Two recent quotes from two people who use the service, really does highlight the impact the money you raise has on people: “Without your timely intervention (and diagnosis) our 2024 would have been as bleak as 2023” and “It’s been such a blessing – it’s helped my confidence and improved my self-esteem”
Dates and times
Both of the walks will meet at 10:30am and depart at 11am from Highland One Stop Shop. Refreshments will be provided towards the end of the walks, and on Tuesday 26th March, you’ll have the chance to stay for a drop-in session after the walk at Highland One Stop Shop.
On Tuesday 2nd April, you can pop in to the Open and Fundraising Day straight after the walk.
If you’re not walking, then come along to Highland One Stop Shop from 12pm, where you’ll be able to find out more about the fantastic work that the service does and what’s on offer for autistic people.
There will be a raffle with some amazing prizes, and you can buy some handmade gifts and artwork made by the people who use the service.
Everyone will be walking. It doesn’t matter what the weather is like – get your waterproofs on and come and meet us for a walk and some great company!
How to sign up
Get in touch to sign up for either or both of the walks. Let us know your size and we’ll have a Walk for Autism t-shirt ready for you on the day. There’s no need to sign up for the 8 day challenge to attend. All we ask is that you make a donation at https://fundraise.autisminitiatives.org/event/walk-for-autism/donate
Or, if you’d like to sign up for all 8 days of the Walk for Autism challenge, then visit www.walkforautism.co.uk. Once you’ve set up your fundraising page and raised your first £20, you will receive your t-shirt by post. Hurry, as the last day to sign up and receive your t-shirt in time for the walking week is Wednesday 20th March 2024.
For any queries about the events, please call +44 1463 717649 or email highlandoss@aiscotland.org.uk
You can buy raffle tickets for the open Day by sending a message to Highland one stop Shop on Facebook at @highlandonestopshop
