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Ocean swim
David Smith, 36-year-old Sponsorship PR Manager with Barclays, has successfully completed the Bondi Roughwater Ocean Swim in Sydney on January 7. This is a fantastic achievement which we really appreciate.
“Like most people, having children certainly changed my life. But just as nothing can prepare you for having children, neither can anything truly prepare you for some of the challenges that arise after they’re born!
“Earlier this year it became clear to my wife Rebecca and I that our daughter, Rosie, who will be 4 in February 2007, was “different” and almost certainly somewhere on the autistic spectrum.
“Exactly where she is on that spectrum we don’t yet know, but shes going to need help to develop her social and communication skills. She’s a wonderful little girl, but we know there’s so much more that could come from her if she could somehow overcome the obstacles currently in her way.
“Our experience, and that of seemingly all other parents affected, is that while there are lots of experts to engage and consult with, and plenty of knowledge about the condition, far more needs to be done to establish and help deliver the practical measures (such as diet and/or intensive learning programmes) to best enable those affected to overcome their difficulties.
“It soon became obvious, while I was preparing for a 2km ocean swim in Australia, that I should use this opportunity to raise some much-needed funds to help tackle this problem. After a little research it was clear where those funds should be directed – Research Autism, the only charity focused exclusively on building a solid research base to document interventions for autism.
“Anything that can be done to help Rosie and other children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders unlock their potential at an early stage in their development can bring immeasurable benefits to those children and their families.”
We are delighted to tell you that David managed to raise £2,403 – a magnificent sum. A special thank you goes to David’s employer, Barclays, who donated a generous £750. Research Autism’s heartfelt thanks goes out to David for such a great fundraising effort.
Last Updated : 21/11/2008 Back to Top
