A BLAENAU FFESTINIOG mum is taking part in this year’s Walk for Autism.

Katie Strickland-Hartnett, whose son Jake Fretwell has autism, is challenging herself to walk 10,000 steps every day for eight days to raise funds to support autistic people in the UK and Ireland.

Katie said: “I’m doing the fundraiser to support people with autism because of my son Jake Fretwell who has autism. He was born three months early on Christmas Day 2011.

“The walk for autism starts on 26 March and ends on 2 April.

“Anyone can join to support the charity. I would like to do more for the community with people who have the disability.

“I wanted to take part in walking for autism to show my support.

“I also wanted to show how it’s important to me in my life being a full-time carer and mum to Jake.”

Katie added: “I wanted to give something back to my community and to all charities that have helped us along our journey as a family. This includes Family Fund, Barbado’s, and some other charities that are local.

“As a mum of four boys and as we are an active family we go out for a local walks anyway.

“I thought this is a great way to start giving back.

“I want to thank Ceris Jones, who is Jake’s one-to-one helper at his school, Ysgol Maenofferen.

“She has also helped throughout the coronavirus lockdown.”

To find out more information, visit www.walkforautism.co.uk. To donate to Katie’s fundraising effort, visit www.walkforautism.co.uk/fundraisers/katieharnett/walk-for-autism