For Neil, completing the Bournemouth Half Marathon this October was about more than crossing the finish line. He took on the challenge for someone very close to his heart: his 25-year-old son, Tom, who was diagnosed with autism from a very young age.
Tom is non-verbal, and Neil has experienced first-hand the challenges that can come with supporting an autistic family member. For Neil, one of the biggest challenges over the years has been not always being able to communicate with Tom in the way he would like.
I never escaped the frustration of not always being able to communicate effectively with Tom. I'm sure many parents experience the same challenges, which is why I wanted to raise money for a charity that supports people and families facing similar experiences.
Neil had previously completed the Bournemouth Half Marathon last year, having not run a half marathon for around five or six years. Although he found the challenge tougher than he remembered, he was determined to take on the race again.
The event also marked a special milestone for Neil, who will turn 50 on 1 November. Completing another big race was a personal goal and gave him an extra reason to push himself.
Neil has raised £510 for Autism Unlimited, with every donation helping us continue providing education, care and support for autistic people and their families.
Neil wasn't the only member of his family taking part in the race weekend. His wife, Ceri, completed the 5K the evening before, while his sister-in-law, Nikki, and his stepson's partner, Broni, ran the 10K in support of Autism Unlimited. Together, they helped make it a memorable weekend of fundraising and awareness for causes close to their family.
At Autism Unlimited, our vision is for a world of endless possibilities for autistic people. We work alongside autistic people and their families to provide education, care and support, creating opportunities to live independent and fulfilled lives.
We are incredibly grateful to Neil for choosing to support Autism Unlimited and for taking on such a personal challenge. His fundraising will help us continue our work supporting autistic people and their families.
Thanks to Neil's dedication and the generosity of everyone who donated, more autistic people and their families can access the support they need. Thank you, Neil, for going the extra mile for Autism Unlimited.