A LOCAL advocate practice has raised more than £2,000 for Action4Autism.
Simcocks Advocates raised £2,716.54 after adopting the Island based charity as their charity of the year for 2010.
The staff raised the money through a range of events including a sponsored walk and cycle along the Manx Heritage Trail, an Easter egg hunt, dress down days, staff lunches and a cookery book.
Paulla Hall, chair of Action4Autism, said: "Everyone in the group would like to say a massive thank you to the staff at Simcocks Advocates.
"They have been brilliant steadily raising a fantastic sum of money throughout the year by organising various events. The company also generously donated the time and expertise of one of their directors, Robert Lindley, to help set up the charity for which we are very grateful."
Action4Autism works to improve services for people with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) and raise awareness in the community.
The donation from Simcocks will be used to fund a social skills group for children with Asperger's syndrome.
Paulla continued: "It's estimated that more than one in 100 people have autism which means at least 800 people in the Isle of Man are affected by autism or Asperger's syndrome. Together with their families they make up more than 3,200 people whose lives are impacted by autism every single day - our membership of more than 100 families is growing daily.
"ASD affects many areas of a person's life, one being the ability to make sense of people and social situations which can make forming friendships difficult and can lead to loneliness and isolation and in some cases result in mental health issues. But with the right help at the right time the future can look much brighter.
"The social skills group will help children and young adults with Asperger's syndrome to develop their social skills whilst having fun and making friends."
Phil Games, the chief executive of Simcocks, said: "All the staff at Simcocks wanted to support an Island based charity and everyone in the company has been involved in helping to raise this money.
"We are all delighted to have supported such a worthwhile group that helps so many people in the community. We are delighted the money will help fund the new social skills group which we are sure will be extremely beneficial."
Paulla said the charity has new ideas for the future. She explained: "Autism has a huge effect on every member of the family so later in the year we plan to help these families by setting up a befriending scheme.
"We know that without the kind support of individuals and companies like Simcocks Advocates none of this would be possible. We are an Island based charity and work on a purely voluntary, unpaid basis to ensure every penny donated is used solely for the benefit of children and adults with autism and Asperger's syndrome in the Isle of Man."
For more details about Action4Autism contact Paulla on 07624 456076 or e-mail her at paullahall@manx.net.
