Walker completes trek in aid of AEM

A fundraiser who tackled the iconic Thames Bridges Trek has raised £330 for Autism East Midlands.

Joining the 6,000 people taking part in the fundraising event, AEM supporter, Nigel, walked across the city of London from Putney Bridge. The 25km walk criss crossed the city's waterways, taking in historic bridges along the way and finishing at Tower Bridge.

"I chose to raise money for Autism East Midlands because my family has been touched profoundly by autism," explained Nigel. "It's a much misunderstood condition, of which even teachers and GPS often have very little understanding, and there is a social stigma because often nobody talks about it."

In the early days of the autism diagnosis, his family were living in New Zealand and while there they found support locally. Fortunately, there was a good local support network there.

Making a difference

Now living in the UK, Nigel decided he wanted to make a difference here and chose to raise money for Autism East Midlands.

"It felt special to be among 6,000 people coming together to do something good," he said.

"You read so much negativity in the news about people not caring about each other in modern society but this was a wonderful way to see that people will come together for a good cause and have a good time doing it."