The Toby Henderson Trust
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Warmest Christmas wishes are extended to all of our familes and supporters who have helped, contributed and generally "been there for us" throughout this year.

We hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and here's looking forward to health and happiness in 2009.

We have just made our application for our 25 guaranteed places in next years Great North Run. If you would like to make an application to take up one of these places - please ring Lesley at the centre. We are now registered with the Just Giving site which takes the pain and stress out of collecting sponsorship - Please, please go to the just giving website and look at the pages of some of our last years runners and see how effective it can be.

We also have 25 places to take part in a sponsored abseil down Segedunum Tower on Sunday 10th May next year - you can use Just Giving for this too - and just for a bit of added fun the organisers are suggesting fancy dress (Roman soldiers I suspect would be topical!) To take up a place and help us raise some much needed funding - contact Lesley on 01670 789753. Thank you.

Over 25 families and their friends joined us on Sunday 22nd June to take part in the STEP UP and picnic at Carlisle Park in Morpeth - the weather was surprisingly good - even good enough for some of us to bathe in the paddling pool (our adventurous John B) and the day finished on a high with a fabulous performance by Charlie the Magician especially for us in the Town Hall. Sponsorship money is coming in already - thank you so much to everyone who took part.

On Sunday 11th May, 25 intrepid volunteers abseiled from the top of Malmaison Hotel in Newcastle to raise funds for the trust. The weather was kind and so were our volunteers - we'll be doing it again next year if you would like to take part? To register your interest please ring Lesley Henderson on 01670 789753.

to view photographs please visit www.stevebrock.co.uk

TTHT Project Director Lesley Henderson has been named the Daily Mail Inspirational Woman of the Year 2007.

At a glittering ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel, hosted by Kirsty Young, she was praised for her single-mindedness and determination to make a difference. "It's quite humbling, really,' she admits. 'None of this happened because I set out to help people. At the time, I was just concerned with my own family and helping my own son.

"But a little later down the road, when I had been helped by wonderful people myself, I was struck by this real need to pass the message on.

"From there it snowballed, and it's quite remarkable. Now, I'm so proud of the fact that I can offer some hope to families who come to the centre when they are still reeling from that diagnosis.

"I can tell them that it isn't the end of the world to hear that your child is autistic.

"Better still, I can introduce them to Toby and tell them how proud I am that he is my son. What mother can ask for more?"

Read the full article from the Daily Mail here.