My name is Dave McGuinness; on the 7^th of September I will be travelling to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in the south of France. From there I will walk over the Pyrenean Mountains and into Spain. I will continue walking 500 miles west into Santiago de Compostela near the Atlantic coast of Northwest Spain. I hope to complete the walk in 4-5 weeks camping in the evenings and walking as many miles as I can during the daytime. The cost of all my travel expenses will be covered by me, meaning 100% of donations made will go directly to Autism Initiatives.

 I chose this charity because the organisation is person-centered. They get to know the person with ASC and also understand how their condition impacts on their life. They know that every person with autism is unique, and that their autism impacts on them uniquely. Having two Grandsons (Brogan and Seamus) who have ASC and first-hand experience of the challenges we as a family face daily. I thought it only fitting that I should raise funds for a charity that help children and adults with Autism and their families. Any money raised will go directly to the Outreach Education Support (OSSME) part of the charity. OSSME provides a service which acts as a support framework for children and young people with Autism, their families, carers and the staff within the educational, work and other settings. Their work is recognized locally, nationally and internationally.

In the past I have completed coast to coast journeys on bike and foot, ran marathons and reached peaks, but always for fun. Now at the age of 62 this trip will be my biggest challenge by far, but with the charity in mind it makes it all worthwhile.

I ask you to donate as much or as little as you can, every penny counts in making a difference.

 Many thanks in advance.

Dave