Charity walk to help Sunderland school appeal is postponed

An annual walk to help a buy specialist playground equipment for a new home has been postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The North East Autism Society’s (NEAS) Walk for Autism Acceptance was due to take place in Herrington Country Park on Friday, April 17, with around 1,000 people expected to attend.

Proceeds would have helped the society’s new joint All To Play For campaign with the Sunderland Echo to raise £25,000 for Thornhill Park School’s new Sunderland home.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The school, which caters for autistic people between the ages of five-19, needs the money to buy sensory equipment such as a jungle bridge, roundabouts, swings and slides.

The North East Autism Society's 2017 Walk for Autism in Herrington Country Park, Sunderland.The North East Autism Society's 2017 Walk for Autism in Herrington Country Park, Sunderland.
The North East Autism Society's 2017 Walk for Autism in Herrington Country Park, Sunderland.

The society has pledged to arrange a new date for the event once the current situation improves and says “your safety and wellbeing and that of your family is of the utmost importance to us”.

Fundraiser Kevin Meikle added: "We have regrettably had to confirm our annual Walk for Autism Acceptance given the current guidance about social gatherings.

"We will endeavour to rearrange it for a later date as soon as it is safe to do so and we would just like to thank everyone who has raised money for the society for their valuable support and to wish everyone well."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The society is also planning to organise a viral activity for fundraisers to take part in on April 17 with further details to be announced nearer the time.

All To Play For is a joint Sunderland Echo and North East Autism Society campaign to raise £25,000 to buy specialist playground equipment for Thornhill Park School.All To Play For is a joint Sunderland Echo and North East Autism Society campaign to raise £25,000 to buy specialist playground equipment for Thornhill Park School.
All To Play For is a joint Sunderland Echo and North East Autism Society campaign to raise £25,000 to buy specialist playground equipment for Thornhill Park School.

Our new All To Play For campaign echoes a similar £25,000 campaign to help the society buy the school’s original home in 1980.

Cheques can be made out to the North East Autism Society and addressed to The Fundraising Team, All To Play For Appeal, Thornhill Park School, Portland Road, Sunderland, Tyne/Wear, SR3 1SS.

Online donations can be made via the society’s website at www.ne-as.org.uk/appeal/all-to-play-for.