NAS Sudokuthon – 9-13 October 2006. The National Autistic Society launches biggest Sudoku fundraising event.

Howard Lake | 5 October 2006 | Newswire

The National Autistic Society (NAS), the UK’s leading charity for people with autism, their families and carers, is launching the first ever national Sudoku fundraising campaign, the NAS Sudokuthon (9-13 October 2006) and inviting corporate companies to take part.
Companies such as Vodafone, Canary Wharf Group and law firm Charles Russell will be competing to complete Sudoku grids ranging from ‘mild’ to ‘fiendish’. Companies can compete against each other on the online leader board, in a bid to be crowned the NAS Sudokuthon champion. Plus there will be a celebrity grid for Sudoku with a Tinsel town twist – perfect for beginners through to avid Sudoku fans.
The new campaign aims to raise £500,000 for children and their families living with autism in the UK. The NAS Sudokuthon will attempt to set a Sudoku record – inviting thousands of school children to take part and employees to log onto www.sudokuthon.org.uk to help complete thousands of grids for thousands of kids who have autism in the UK today. The NAS aims to complete over 500,000 Sudoku grids during the fundraising week. That’s one grid for every person affected by autism in the UK today, making it the world’s largest Sudoku event.
A host of celebrities are also supporting the fundraising campaign including Carol Vorderman, Andrew Strauss, Martin Freeman, Sophie Anderton, Gaby Roslin, Antony Worrall Thompson and Stefan Booth.
The NAS chose Sudoku because it provides an opportunity to highlight some of the issues relating to autism in an easy and accessible way. Sudoku is all about logic. For people with autism, the world can seem like a very illogical place. A Sudoku grid can seem to make no sense for many people. This is how people with autism can feel about everyday life. With patience and training, anyone can complete even the hardest of Sudoku grids. Similarly, with the right support, advice and understanding, people with autism can reach their full potential. The NAS exists to ensure people affected by autism receive this support.
Carol Vorderman, Sudoku guru, said There are over 2 million people who are affected by autism, including families and carers, in the UK today. That’s more than 2 million reasons why I’ll be logging onto The National Autistic Society Sudokuthon website, www.sudokuthon.org.uk, to donate some money and play Sudoku. Go on, give it a go – your donations will help the NAS continue its crucial work, supporting individuals and families who are affected by autism”.
Sarah Hill, Head of the NAS Sudokuthon, said The National Autistic Society Sudokuthon offers a unique and fun opportunity for people to help raise vital funds for the NAS and learn more about autism. Your efforts will enable us to continue our work for children with autism, their families and carers and help them live their lives to their full potential”.
Funds raised from the Sudoku based fundraising campaign will help support NAS services including the Autism Helpline, Advocacy for Education Service, Befriending scheme, Parent to Parent support service and help! programme.
For information on taking part in the first ever NAS Sudokuthon contact the NAS Sudokuthon Team now on 08456 78 36 58 (SUDOKU) or email su********@na*.uk.
ENDS
For further information about the NAS Sudokuthon or for images and interview requests, please contact Kelly Brito in the NAS Press Office on: 020 7903 3539 or send an email to: Ke*********@na*.uk
Notes to editors:
Autism (including Asperger syndrome) is a lifelong developmental disability. It is a spectrum condition occurring in varying degrees of severity. Around 535,000 people have autism in the UK today and over 2 million people are affected by the disability. It is characterised by a triad of impairments: difficulties forming social relationships, problems with verbal and non-verbal communication and the development of strong narrow obsessional interests.
The National Autistic Society is the UK’s leading charity for people with autistic spectrum disorders and their families. Founded in 1962, it continues to spearhead national and international initiatives and provide a strong voice for all people with autism. The NAS provides a wide range of services to help people with autism and Asperger syndrome live their lives with as much independence as possible.
The NAS relies on the support of its members and donors to continue its vital work for people with autism. To become a member, make a donation or to find out more about the work of the NAS, visit the NAS website www.autism.org.uk or call the NAS donation line 08702 33 40 40, (national rates apply).
In March 2004 Vodafone entered into a three-year cause partnership” with The National Autistic Society. The mobile phone company hopes to raise up to £6 million for the charity during this period. Vodafone’s support will enable the NAS to expand the reach of existing programmes, which raise awareness of autism and support people with autism and their carers.
For more information about autism and for help in your area, call the NAS Autism Helpline on: 0845 070 4004 10am-4pm, Monday to Friday, (local rates apply).
The NAS PARIS (Public Autism Resource and Information Service) website is the largest online autism-specific service directory in the world. Visit www.info.autism.org.uk to find autism services and support networks in your area.

About Howard Lake
Howard Lake is consultant editor of UK Fundraising. He founded the site in 1994 and successfully sold it in 2022. As director of Giving X Ltd he is exploring growing giving on a massive scale. He is the founder of Fundraising Camp and co-founder of GoodJobs.