PM Gordon Brown and Conservative leader David Cameron are among a host of public figures lending their support to Autism Sunday, taking place this weekend.
Autism Sunday, which was set up by Ivan and Charika Corea who have a son with the condition, is an international day of prayer for people with autism and Asperger’s syndrome.
Autism Sunday service on February 14 at All Saint’s Church, Redbridge, to remember the 60 million people with autism around the globe.
The Prime Minister’s office sent a message of support and opposition leader Mr Cameron said: “I would like to express my support for Autism Sunday. 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.”
Conservative MP for Chesham and Amersham Cheryl Gillan MP, who took the 2009 Autism Bill through Parliament, said: “I am sure that this event will be a great success and will provide a great support to many people. I would like to send my very best wishes.”
Other notable supporters include The Duchess of Cornwall, the Mayor of London Boris Johnson, Minister of State for Children and Young People Dawn Primarolo, autism expert Professor Simon Baron Cohen of Cambridge University and Baroness Sandip Verma.
“Autism Sunday is now a massive worldwide event and it is an opportunity to press for genuine and lasting change for parents, carers, children and adults with autism and Asperger’s Syndrome.
“I am urging people all over the world to write to world leaders asking them to do more for autism and Asperger’s Syndrome and provide better public services in education, health, specialist speech therapy and respite care.
The London Service for Autism Sunday will take place on February 14 at 11.15am at All Saint’s Church, Inman’s Row, Woodford Wells, IG8 0NH. For more information on Autism Sunday go to http://autismsunday.blog.co.uk.
