MEDIA RELEASE
April 2014
Australia’s most inspiring autism walk comes to the Wide Bay!
AEIOU Foundation has inspired a group of local business and community leaders to hike 40 kilometres to raise funds and awareness for children with autism in the 4th annual Take a Hike Toowoomba challenge on Sunday, March 16 2014.
Hikers are committing their time to make a difference for local children who have autism, to raise up to $50,000 for the local AEIOU centre, closing the $10,000 funding gap AEIOU experiences for each child in the program in the Wide Bay every year, many times over.
AEIOU Foundation CEO Alan Smith said they will set off on the nine-hour trek with a goal of raising a total of $50,000 to support AEIOU Foundation’s program. “Take a Hike is a challenge I’ve been part of since its launch in 2010, and I’m proud to have walked beside some of Queensland’s most inspiring people who support our cause,” Mr Smith said.
“I am constantly reminded that the young children at AEIOU work so hard to learn the vital life skills many of us take for granted. The hike is a physical test, but it’s nothing compared to the challenges they overcome each day.”
Autism isn’t rare, and there’s no cure, although early intervention can make a big difference to a child’s development. Mr Smith said along with the challenges children with autism face, their condition can also affect the family unit, with studies showing families can experience social, financial and vocational disadvantages.
“It’s heart-warming to see a child learn to communicate and connect with their families. AEIOU’s program can change the lives of young children with autism, and by supporting us through Take a Hike, you can too.”
AEIOU’s signature event has become one of the largest and most inspiring organised autism walks in Queensland.
AEIOU Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation and a leading provider of high quality early intervention for children diagnosed with autism aged two and a half to six years. More than 70% of children who complete our program transition to mainstream school every year.
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Media enquiries:
Laura Daley, Fundraising Marketing Manager, p:3212 1112 m: 0417 284 058, e: laura.daley@aeiou.org.au
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