UK Autism News

The member of parliament for Feltham and Heston Alan Keen MP together with his wife, Health Minister Ann Keen MP,(Brentford & Isleworth) wrote to the UK Autism Foundation wishing the 'Scope for Hope' autism charity dinner in Feltham every success. Hundreds attended the glittering event, held at the Royal Naval Association Club in Feltham, Middlesex on Saturday 13th June.

Alan and Ann Keen in a special message said:

"We are very sorry that we cannot be with you tonight for this very auspicious occasion. The hard work and dedication of the UK Autism Foundation deserves huge support and we are extremely impressed with the Foundation's achievements to date.

We hope you all have a great evening and raise lots of money to continue to help fund the Foundation's excellent work."

Prime Minister Gordon Brown signed a very special bottle of House of Commons Claret which was auctioned on the night. He sent his best wishes.

Other auction items included a signed shirt by Sri Lankan cricket stars Tilkeratne Dilshan, World's Number One bowler Murali, batsmen Sanath Jayasuriya and Mahela Jayewardene who are currently representing Sri Lanka in the 20/20 Cricket Championships in the United Kingdom. Autographed photographs of England players Alistair Cook and Dimitri Mascarenhas, a signed photo of F1 Driver Jensen Button (currently leading the F1 Championships), a Manchester United print of Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez, Nani and Christiano Ronaldo, were also auctioned to raise funds for the UK Autism Foundation.

The raffle prizes included a copy of the new thriller 'Gauntlet' gifted by the Canadian author Richard Aaron, a signed copy of 'Twin Brothers World's Apart,' written by campaigner Kevin Healey who has Asperger's Syndrome, were snapped up by guests at the dinner.

Lee Scott MP and Nirj Deva MEP were among those who sent messages of greetings to the 'Scope for Hope' dinner.

The music was by the group 'Sunset.' Organiser Chulanie de Alwis and singer/songwriter Nimal Mendis (who wrote the song for autism 'Open Every Door' played by 15 local radio stations on Autism Sunday in February this year) were made 'Ambassadors for Autism' with a special presentation on the night.

Ivan Corea of UKAF thanked CDA Events Management Services for organising the 'Scope for Hope' dinner dance - the event was well supported by the business and medical communities.

The UK Autism Foundation has been campaigning on behalf of families with autism who are below the poverty line. Ivan Corea urged all those present at the 'Scope for Hope' dinner to support the work of UKAF.

CDA Events Management Services presents

'Scope for Hope'

in aid of the UK Autism Foundation

on Saturday 13th June 2009

at the Royal Naval Association Club, Park Road, Feltham, TW13 6PP

Live music by the group 'SUNSET' with a guest appearance by Nimal Mendis, the singer/songwriter who composed the song for autism, 'Open Every Door.'

From 7 pm onwards - bar facilities and free car parking.

Tickets - adults £20,00 with a buffet dinner

Children upto 12 years - £10

Great Raffle Prizes and a small auction....

For tickets please call:

Chulie: 0208 408 4137

Lee Scott MP for Ilford North who has been campaigning in the House of Commons for parents, carers, children and adults with Asperger's Syndrome is calling on Prime Minister Gordon Brown and the Government to increase the carer's allowance for possibly over a million carers who are looking after children and adults with autism and Asperger's Syndrome in the United Kingdom.

There are 500,000 people with autism in the UK and over 100,000 children are on the autism spectrum. Recently Prime Minister Gordon Brown wrote for the first time on autism when he contacted the UK Autism Foundation to share his Autism Plan. Support for UKAF's autism awareness campaign has also come from David Cameron who wrote to the foundation and said: 'As many as one in a hundred people could be affected by some form of autism, and it is important that we recognise and raise awareness of the difficulties and challenges that they can face.'

Ivan Corea of UKAF said: ' Many carers are plunging into poverty as a result of the credit crunch and the recession. Lee Scott MP is backing UKAF's call to parliamentarians of all parties in the House of Commons to support our campaign to raise the carer's allowance for carers who are working around the clock for children and adults with autism and Asperger's Syndrome. Autism is a 24 hour job and we urge the Prime Minister to listen to the voices of parents and carers.'

The early day motion tabled by Lee Scott MP reads:

Autism And The Carer's Allowance

That this house pays tribute and acknowledges the valuable contribution made by thousands of parents and carers, in supporting the needs of children and adults with autism and Asperger's Syndrome; supports the call of the UK Autism Foundation urging the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State at the Department of Work and Pensions to consider a substantial increase to the carer's allowance; shares the concern of the UK Autism Foundation that the present economic crisis is plunging some parents, carers and families with autism into poverty; backs the call of autism campaigners for Her Majesty's Government to increase the tax credits, the disabilities living allowance and the carer's allowance in order for parents, carers, children and adults with autism and Asperger's Syndrome to survive the credit crunch and the deepening recession.

Lee Scott is Patron of the UK Autism Foundation. He is a member of the Select Committee on Health in the House of Commons in Westminster.

A leading Nigerian community leader, Godwin Odusami was appointed a UKAF 'Ambassador for Autism' recently at a star studded event hosted by the UEL Nigerian Society Boat Dinner and Dance in London Docklands. Among those present were leading Nigerian Chiefs and Community Leaders.

Over 400 people were present at the glittering event marking the launching of the Nigerian Students Society. The event helped raise awareness of autism and the work carried out by the UK Autism Foundation.

Ivan Corea of the UK Autism Foundation thanked Godwin Odusami for his tireless efforts and said he is a worthy Ambassador for Autism. Godwin has been promoting the work of UKAF.

Godwin Odusami pledged to support the work of UKAF and undertake fundraising events for the charity. Ivan Corea paid tribute to his hard work.