Ambitious North East Autism Society development enters phase two
Part of our ongoing Growing Futures appeal, the second phase of development will see several new buildings erected – including a cider mill, a farm shop, and a café.
Walk for Acceptance coming to new venue for 2026
A family favourite charity event which draws hundreds of walkers each year is coming to a new venue for the school Easter holidays.
The Walk for Acceptance, organised annually by the North East Autism Society (NEAS), is coming to Chester-le-Street’s Riverside Park for the first time ever on Friday 17th April.
As well as an accessible 1-mile circular walk, the event will feature activities, attractions, and food and drink vendors.
NEAS mascot Snowdrop the Spikeshuffler will also be in attendance, greeting participants, posing for photos and helping guide participants in a pre-walk warm-up.
More than three-hundred people attended last year’s walk, and organisers hope for a good turn out again.
Jon Appleton, Community and Events Fundraising Officer at NEAS, said: “It’s especially exciting to be bringing the Walk for Acceptance to a new venue this year.
“It’s always a lovely event with a really welcoming atmosphere, and we’re looking forward to bringing that to Riverside Park.”
Activities around this year’s walk will put a spotlight on art, alongside the charity’s Acceptance Project which calls on people of all ages and artistic abilities to explore what autism acceptance means to them.
Children can take part in arts and crafts activities before the walk, encouraging them to make their own ‘Action Art’ to celebrate and share what acceptance means to them.
Jon added: “It’s incredibly important to us to amplify young and autistic voices, and proceeds raised by the walk will help support our services working directly with autistic youth.”
In addition to arts and crafts, and other activities in the park, children who complete the walk will receive a certificate and a sweet treat at the finish line.
Entry costs £5 per adult, and under-18s go free. Registration will take place between 10am and 10.45am in the centre of the park towards the café, and the walk will set off at 11am.
Share your message
This year we’re asking you to let your creativity shine and make something that shows what ‘acceptance’ means to you.
The Acceptance Project is for anyone, of any age an artistic ability, who wants to share a message through art, whether you draw, paint, sculpt, or create in any other way: Your creativity can challenge misconceptions and promote inclusion.
This is not about technical skill. This is about expression, having a voice, and above all, acceptance.
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