Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I turn 40 this year and want to mark that occasion by doing something memorable. My daughter Emily and I have decided that we will dedicate some of our time throughout 2013 to raising money for those charities that have a personal connection with us. These charities include Breast Cancer, Autism, Alzheimer’s, Rutland Air Ambulance, and underprivileged children in Bangkok.

As well as running a number of races, we also plan to cycle 2013 miles during the year to raise funds for these charities.

This particular fundraising page relates to the National Autistic Society. However, feel free to click on our team link below ("Ashcroft's Multi-Charity Challenge") if you would like to donate to one of our other charities.

We have friends and family members with autistic children. Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how a person communicates with, and relates to, other people. It also affects how they make sense of the world around them, how they learn and how they develop. While all people with autism share certain difficulties, their condition will affect them in different ways. Some people with autism are able to live relatively independent lives but others may have accompanying learning disabilities and need a lifetime of specialist support.

Asperger syndrome is a form of autism. People with Asperger syndrome are often of average or above average intelligence. They have fewer problems with speech but may still have difficulties with understanding and processing language.

The National Autistic Society also provides support to parents and families of people living with autism. One family who benefits from that support is the Salmon family from Caerphilly. Jo Salmon, one of my school class-mates’ daughter, Holly, was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome in 2009. Read more about her story, and how she and her family are helping people to understand about autism, recognising the acheivements of those with autism, and raise funds for autism charities at www.hollysball.co.uk

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 dig deep and donate now.