HUNDREDS of walkers are expected to descend on Herrington Country Park this holiday, as our Walk for Acceptance returns for 2023. 

Following the success of last year’s walk, which was attended by almost 400 people, we are gearing up for what it hopes will be its biggest event to date on Friday 14 April – and there’s still time to sign up. 

With activities and crafts for children, face painting, competitions and prizes up for grabs on the day, there will be plenty to keep the whole family entertained. Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service will also be in attendance, along with food vendors, including Acropolis, and the charity’s mascot Snowdrop the Spikeshuffler. 

“Our annual Walk for Acceptance is always hugely popular and it’s brilliant to see so many families stepping out in support of NEAS, helping us to champion our message of autism acceptance,” says Jon Appleton, Community and Events Fundraising Officer at the North East Autism Society (NEAS). 

All of the money raised from entries and sponsorship will help us to continue delivering our frontline services across the North-east, such as our family support and employment services.

Former ITV newsreader Pam Royle and patron for NEAS, will once again officially start the walk. She will be joined by our outgoing Chair of Trustees Gavin Bestford, who is stepping down from his role with the charity after two decades. 

Entry costs £5 per adult, with under-18s free, and the one-mile route is wheelchair and pram-friendly. Registration will take place between 10am and 10.45am in front of the Amphitheatre in the park, and the walk will get underway at 11am following a group warm up. 

All participants will receive: an activity booklet with fun ideas for your family to do on your walk, entry into a prize draw, a finisher’s certificate, and social media materials to share your support online. 

Those taking part are also encouraged to fundraise if possible, and each child who raises money will be entered into a draw to win a visit from our mascot Snowdrop the Spikeshuffler at their school or home.  

 Register for Walk for Acceptance