A TEAM of care staff from Dorchester will be dressing up in grass skirts and hula garlands for a charity run with a difference.
Three members of staff from The Wessex Autistic Society’s Dorchester office are taking part in the charity’s Hawaiian themed Summer Solstice 8km run on June 17.
Director of social care services Jon Wyatt, deputy community support service manager Simon Cake and advocacy services manager Karen Wilmhurst will be taking on the evening run at Moors Valley Country Park near Ringwood.
In keeping with the Hawaiian theme, the Dorchester team will be accompanied on their run by their surfboard mascot.
Karen said: “As a non-runner the Summer Solstice 8km is the perfect reason for me to get fit in time for summer.
“Raising sponsorship for our run will also challenge the team to go the extra mile for The Wessex Autistic Society.
“The charity’s information and advice service team that I manage – which offers free guidance on diagnosis, behaviour, education and benefits – is entirely funded through donations.
“Taking part and raising money through events such as this are a vital way of developing our specialist support services throughout Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire and Wiltshire.
“Every ounce of support from the local community will help make our efforts make a difference long after we’ve crossed the finish line.”
The Wessex Autistic Society opened its Dorchester office last year to provide services for both children and adults on the autism spectrum and with associated learning disabilities.
It also offers domiciliary care to help people with autism gain and maintain their independence and runs support groups for parents and carers as well as fortnightly drop-in groups for adults with Asperger’s.
Around 500 people are expected to take part in the fundraising run to support the work of The Wessex Autistic Society in Dorchester and across the region.
Any teams or individuals wishing to take part in the run themselves can sign up before June 16 through the charity’s running website www.Charity-Run.co.uk.
You can also sponsor the team from the Dorchester office online at mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/teamdorchester
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