Update time folks, 08/05/2011

Well I did it!

Totally amazed, grateful and gobsmacked by the generosity of colleagues, friends and family who've chipped in to this amazing total.  Still waiting for the official times to be published but by my stopwatch I made it in around 1 hr 52 and a half ish, which I reckon is none too shabby for a "veteran", but I fear that you guys with your donations and my time I may have set the bar too high for next year...

Many many thanks for your support, you have no idea how much it helped my ageing knees get up Brightside Lane. 

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Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Awareness of Autistic Spectrum Disorders has risen through some fantastic cultural landmarks such as the film Rain Man, and Mark Haddon's excellent book "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time".  But autism is a broad church, and not all have a latent mathematical, artistic or musical genius to help them get by.  Sadly, the reality is that most people with an autistic condition still face problems with everyday situations that most of us take for granted.

Did you know that only 6% of people with Autism have a full-time job? Or that only 12% of those with high functioning autism have paid jobs? 

Right here in Sheffield the Integrated Resource is working at King Ecgberts School, helping kids access the education they need and deserve and through the Supported Employment Project based at meadowhall, helping adults find and stay in paid employment.  Through these projects the Integrated Resource is doing fantastic work, making a real difference to people's lives and giving them the chance to flourish and develop. 

But, like so many small organisations they need support.  The Supported Employment Project currently has funding to keep going for about 10 months.  So on May 8th I'll be hauling my middle-aged, unfit ass around 13 miles of Sheffield's mean streets to try to raise a bit of money to support the amazing staff, pupils and adults of the Integrated Resource.  If you know me, or if you have any interest in Autistic Spectrum Disorders, or if you're just feeling flush right now, please donate what you can to this very worthwhile, underfunded, overstretched and little known about charity.  Even if you can only stretch to a pound or two, it'll all add up (but don't be shy if you've found a couple of grand down the back of the sofa).

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please make a donation if you can, however small, but do it now - the Sheffield Half Marathon is only a few days away!