World Autism Awareness Day 2013 Reprise

One thing I noticed this year which I have never noticed before and probably something to do with the “world” part of things is everyone is getting in on the act, celebrities spreading the word on Twitter, high profile people that have family and children with Autism are increasing awareness.

When I first started working for Autism Plus the charity was known, but mainly to families directly connected to Autism and the difference now is that everyone has heard of Autism and wants to learn more, I suppose you could say it’s gone global!

I am happy to announce we now sell funky pin badges in the shops and on Ebay to promote Autism Plus, pin one on to your Barbour jacket - it really adds to it.

A-U-T-I-S-M. Memorise it, learn a jingle whatever just know it.

For our part in Autism Awareness Day we recruited two charming volunteer helpers who we thanked with a bag of sweets.
With the help of one of our volunteers we organised an outdoor Tombola stall outside the market which the council were very nice in allowing us to do this at short notice because you need to have permission for these type of things you know.

They were helped by other volunteers and raised £100! Which is fantastic considering how cold and windy it was and they were situated in a tunnel area which wasn’t ideal. I did find it funny that a lady bought some tickets and won a fluorescent/glow in the dark cat collar - I have no idea why this was a prize and it really made me laugh because she didn’t have a cat but she took it anyway and said she would find a use for it? The mind boggles!
We ended the week by holding a cake stall inside the shop where a volunteer’s daughter made the most delicious rice krispie cakes and easter biscuits with mini eggs on them. (Easter was at the same time)

We also had gluten free buns, we found out lots of children who came into the shop had to have gluten free food products and one mum was really happy because her little girl misses out on lots of things, so loads of effort from the team and lots of smiley faces :)
It has been a positive year for the shop and going forward I hope it gets even better and people continue to support us.
Ps we now offer Loyalty cards for people that donate so get donating your old clothes and reap the rewards! Oh I do love stamping the cards!

Welcome back readers

First of all on behalf of everyone reading this I want to wish you a huge belated Happy New Year! Although we’re half way through it now so you may take it as premature Happy New Year for 2014!

In any case sorry I have taken my time in updating the blog, trust me lots has been going on and all very positive. Some of which I’ll share with you in the following weeks and I will try and dedicate myself to submitting more frequently and consistently.

We have all been REALLY busy! In the past year or so we have had a few new members to the team, a love story, introduction of GIFTAID, a new carpet, a visit from Viking FM & a re-tweet on Twitter from Jennifer Saunders - how cool is that?!
The power of Twitter it’s taking over the world. Did you know Autism Plus is on twitter? @autism_plus follow & spread the word! #wordup

We also recently had a successful Autism World Awareness day and as that was my last blog topic before my one year hiatus, so it is fitting to start it back on that! Oh and I promised you a love story I will get to that soon........Stay tuned!

Autism Awareness Day, are you aware?

Monday 2^nd April is a very special day. Very special indeed for it is national Autism Awareness Day and this is celebrated throughout all of the world. It is a time to celebrate the stories and triumphs of people living with autism across the whole spectrum as well as creating awareness of everything that it means to be autistic and also on how YOU can help make a difference. One of the best ways you can do this is just to learn and understand which is one of the focal points of having this special event.

We are doing a local collection fundraising morning at our local Morrisons superstore so a huge thanks to them for allowing us to do this! Also on the 21^st April there is going to be an outdoor Tombola in Goole by the Junction Cinema/Market store raising money for this event so pop down and have a go! We have been saving some nice little prizes for this day and thanks to Goole council for allowing us to have this stall!

Recently lots of people are selling there bags of clothes to wholesalers and rogue business traders for small amounts of cash based upon weight, this is having a SERIOUS impact on charity shops and most definitely ours, stock donated over the door is swiftly falling in numbers and in no doubt related to this in some way. Please please I urge you to donate your clothes, bric a brac, DVDS, CD’s and anything else you can think of would be greatly appreciated in your local Autism Plus retail shop, please see the website for more information on how and where you can donate.

We also have a facebook page and a twitter page so become friends and follow! It makes the world go around, Happy Autism Awareness day!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 2/4/12 be there.