Townsville Takes a Hike for Children with Autism:
Hikers visit centre to meet children
Sally Elliott, a local real estate agent and great supporter of AEIOU Townsville, visited the Townsville centre with eight other hikers a few days prior to the hike. Sally tells us about the experience below.
"This is my third year participating in “Townsville Takes a Hike for Children with Autism”. This year I encouraged some of my younger staff members to hike and they also came along to the centre visit to meet the children and gain an understanding of the program. We all received such a tremendous welcome from the staff and children.
The thing that strikes me each time I visit the Townsville centre is just how positive it is; the love, care and passion of the centre’s staff is just so tangible. We spent some time in the class-room reading stories and also out in the playground, it was a really great way to connect with the children at AEIOU and the cause we are supporting.
We were all able to see how AEIOU’s early intervention program works first-hand. I found it really compelling observing the children responding so positively to what they were learning. The children are really responsive to the educators and you can just see the light in everyone’s eyes. It is a very happy and positive place.
I am just so grateful there are people around running a program like this for children with autism, it makes an enormous difference to these children’s lives and restores my faith in humanity.
The 40 kilometre hike was certainly a challenge but a few hours of struggle is nothing compared to the challenges children with autism experience. It was great to have met the children we were walking and fund-raising for before the walk and keep them in mind when the going got tough.
My staff and I found the whole experience of the centre visit and the walk extremely inspiring and uplifting. I would absolutely encourage other people to get involved in the hike next year and or donate. My team have raised $10,800 but are determined to raise a total of $15,000 for the children at the Townsville centre."
The hike on Sunday 10 August was the fourth annual Take a Hike Townsville challenge. Spanning 40 kilometres over nine hours, the goal of the challenge is to eliminate the funding deficit at AEIOU Foundation’s Townsville centre and to raise awareness for children with autism. The hike starts and finishes at The Strand Park following a loop along the coastline.
All AEIOU Centres are hosting Open Days on 28 August for parents and carers of children with a new or suspected autism diagnosis. This is a great opportunity to observe how the AEIOU early intervention program works for young children with autism.
Early childhood educators, GPs and other allied health professionals are also welcome to attend. Click here for further information and registration information.
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