On the road for Autism

"The Big Autism Thing" (BAT), developed by the Association for Autism and Charity on the Go in 2012, has become an annual event based around a different activity each year. As in 2012, BAT 2015 will be a large scale sponsored coastal walk. The walk will kick off in Port Shepstone on 1 March 2015 and end at the Strand on 2 May 2015.

Six full time champions will walk a designated route each day for the duration of the event. As they enter towns, the local autism organisation (if any), support groups, residents and other community organisations will join the walk. Local organisations will then also get exposure as part of the project.

They will arrange to meet with mayors, local authorities or community representatives in towns, where they disseminate any autism information and collect funding they raised. This will allow photo opportunities and the promotions of all stakeholders of that specific portion of the journey. They will continuously keep in touch with the broader community via Facebook and Twitter and will post photos, videos and narratives online as the walk progresses.

Apart from the champions, there will be a support volunteer team, making up the "ground crew." They will ensure that autism information is available. The ground crew will also arrange for appropriate marketing and promotional materials ahead of the arrival of the champions in towns. The ground crew will also be in charge of first aid during the journey.

The organisation appeals to business and the pubic to sponsor this event. For more information, email Angus Moore on moc.liamg@1ofniafa.