Duffy to make marathon effort for autism

Boyzone’s Keith Duffy is running the London Marathon next month for two charities for people with autism.

He is making his marathon effort to help raise funds and awareness of the half a million people with autism in the UK for very personal reasons.

The Irish singer and actor has an eight-year-old daughter, Mia, who has autism, and is running for National Autistic Society (NAS) and SPEAC (Special Provision for the Education of Autistic Children).

He said: “I’m really excited to be running for the NAS. As the parent of a child with autism, I know what a difference the right support can make.

“I was fortunate enough to be in a position to get Mia the support she needed, but many other families aren’t so lucky.”

Also running for the charity is Olympic cyclist Chris Boardman.

Chris has broken three World Hour Records, won an Olympic Gold and has worn the prestigious yellow jersey in the Tour De France, but has agreed to swap his wheels for running shoes. He said: “Autism is much more common than many other conditions that get far more attention and I’m really pleased to be helping raise awareness by lending my support to such a fantastic cause.”

Keith and Chris will be part of a 125 strong NAS team taking part in the world famous marathon.

In 2008 the NAS running team raised £247,000 (€278,330) which went towards providing NAS services including the advocacy for education service, befriending scheme, parent to parent support service and Help! programme.

The NAS spearheads national and international initiatives and provides a voice for all people with autism. It provides a wide range of services to help people with autism and Asperger syndrome live their lives with as much independence as possible.

SPEAC provides specialist, intensive education to children with autism and severe learning difficulties.

To support Keith and Chris in their efforts to raise funds for NAS, you can visit www.justgiving.com/keithduffy or www.justgiving.com/chrisboardman.

To become a member of the NAS, to make a donation or to find out more about the charity’s work, visit the NAS website www.autism.org.uk.