AEIOU News

MAKING A SPLASH FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM

Fri, 8 Apr 11

MAKING A SPLASH FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM

This April marks Autism Awareness Month and to celebrate AEIOU Foundation will deliver a series of initiatives including lighting the Story Bridge blue, hosting a conference with renowned psychologist and autism expert Tony Attwood, and the Fourth Annual Paddle for Kids event on the Brisbane River.

Paddle for Kids will take place on Sunday April 10 from 8:30am – 2:30pm at Captain Burke Park, inviting the local community to have fun on the river and in the park to raise funds and awareness for children with autism.

AEIOU Foundation CEO Alan Smith said the unique event invites friends, family members and colleagues in the Brisbane community of all fitness levels to create a team of four to compete in a kayak relay throughout the day. 

“We also encourage the local community to come down and join us for the day to cheer on the race participants and enjoy a family-friendly carnival for kids with slides, rides and face painters,” Mr Smith said.

To date, more than 20 teams have signed on to join the kayak relay, helping the Foundation to reach its goal to raise $25,000 on the day.

“We’ve had a great response to the event, and there is still time for local businesses and community members to make a team and join up.  Registration for the team is only $40, and we then ask each team to try to raise $500 in the lead up to the event,” Mr Smith said.

Prizes will be awarded to the winning kayak team and highest fundraising teams along with a host other prizes for team participation and fundraising on the day.

All proceeds on the day will go towards AEIOU Foundation to support children with autism. “Each year, AEIOU Foundation strives to raise $10,000 for each child to help close the funding gap for the program.  We now have more than 170 children enrolled at AEIOU, and events such as Paddle for Kids help the Foundation to achieve this goal,’ Mr Smith said,

Mr Smith said it is important to note the Brisbane River is safe to engage with in the area where the race will take place.

Riverlife spokesperson has confirmed the event is safe, taking place in the large reach of the River and is completely clean. There are some other areas of the Brisbane River that have received high readings, such as near treatment plants, but the water in this section of the river is confirmed as safe and disinfected down to the very last rock.

Autism is not a rare disorder, affecting one in 160 people in Australia, it has no cure but research shows early intervention can make a difference to children and their families.

AEIOU Foundation is a reputable Queensland based charity and is one of the country’s largest providers of early intervention for children diagnosed with autism aged two and a half to five years.

To register a team for Paddle for Kids or to make a donation go to www.aeiou.org.au or phone

 (07)3320 7575. There is a registration fee of $40 per team.

-          Ends

Media enquiries:

Laura Daley, Fundraising and Communications Coordinator, p: 3320 7555, e: laura.daley@aeiou.org.au

Deborah Hoey, Communications Manager, p: 3320 7520, e: deborah.hoey@aeiou.org.au