A MOTHER is bringing together some 80,000 people later this month as a part of a national campaign.

Sam Willoughby, from Basingstoke, an award-winning entrepreneur, had the idea of flying-themed sponsored challenges in May to support autism charity Caudwell Children.

Back in 2015, Sam put together a team of experts to establish the not-for-profit Children’s Activities Association to put in place independent standards for all children’s activities.

Children’s Activities Week is the most recent innovation to come from the association and is running for the second year after raising more than £35,000 in 2018.

Sam came up with the idea of the National Children’s Activities Week campaign to highlight the array of benefits activities for children have for the whole family.

Around 80,000 people will take part this time around.

Sam says: “I am so proud to see how many companies and families are taking part in Children’s Activities Week this year.

“Not only will everyone be having a lot of fun, we will also be raising vital funds to change the lives of families with autism.”

Money raised from the sponsored challenges will be used to fund assessments and practical support for autistic children at the new Caudwell International Children’s Centre, which is the UK’s first independent, purpose-built centre dedicated to autism.

Chief executive of Caudwell Children, Trudi Beswick, said: “It is truly an honour to have groups of children like these all coming together to help raise funds for the charity.

“We are dedicated to enabling autistic children to reach their full potential and Children’s Activities Week is playing a big part in us achieving our aim.”

Children’s Activities Week takes place from May 13-17, culminating with a showcase event at the charity’s Staffordshire headquarters. For information, go to

caudwellchildren.com/caw2019/fundraising

.