The National Autistic Society welcomes you aboard their ‘Train Walk!’

This summer, The National Autistic Society (NAS) is welcoming you aboard the ‘Train Walk’, their family-friendly Thomas & Friends™ themed sponsored walks in aid of autism.

Train Walk 2012 is a chance for friends, family, neighbours and kids to make a train-like formation as they embark on sponsored walks all across the UK. Together, our train walkers will be celebrating half a century of progress towards a better life for people with autism, as the NAS turns 50 this year!

Train Walks are a great day out and you can organise your very own walk to cover any distance you choose and to suit the ages and abilities of those taking part. We have lots of fun ideas and materials to help give your walk a real Thomas & Friends feel too. Train Walk week runs from 2 to 9 June, but people are invited to organise their walk to take part to take place at any point in the summer.

Rebecca Bohling, Head of Supporter Fundraising at the NAS, said: “Train Walks are a fun way to rally together friends and neighbours, while raising vital funds for people affected by autism. Over the past three years, hundreds people have made a difference by jumping on board Train Walks in their local parks, villages and other sites across the UK. As the UK’s leading charity for people affected by autism, The National Autistic Society wants a world where all people living with autism get to lead the life they choose. By taking part in Train Walk 2012, you can help us celebrate 50 years of progress and join us on the road to making that vision a reality.”

Thomas & Friends has long held a special meaning for children with autism and their families and HIT Entertainment, which owns Thomas & Friends, has been supporting the NAS since 2001. Since the Thomas & Friends Train Walks began in 2009, we have raised nearly £100,000 for people with autism and their families.

Organising a Thomas & Friends Train Walk couldn’t be easier. Simply register online at www.trainwalk.org.uk and the NAS will be on-hand with tips, information and goodies to make your walk memorable. If you are keen to get involved but would rather not organise your own walk, you can find out about any events taking place near you by visiting www.trainwalk.org.uk

The NAS is the UK’s leading charity for people affected by autism and, over the past 50 years, has developed an enormous range of education, support, care, respite, information and advice services for people affected by autism. We rely on donations and fundraising to continue to provide support that the half a million people in theUK affected by autism and their families vitally need.