Autistic adults from two charities founded by Dame Stephanie Shirley are set to join together for a fundraising event for the second year running.

Prior’s Court and Autism at Kingwood will take part in Step by Step – Autism United on Thursday, 15 May.

The event will feature 24 young adults from Prior’s Court’s Young Adult Provision and 25 adults supported by Autism at Kingwood taking to the Prior’s Court grounds in a joint-sponsored walk/jog/run fundraiser.

The two groups taking part will be challenged to reach a cumulative number of laps of the 0.6km Prior’s Court track, rather than each person being set individual targets, giving the event a feel of inclusivity and teamwork.

From Prior’s Court side, all monies raised will go to our Fun & Recreation appeal which helps us put on “above and beyond” special events for the autistic young people with complex needs we support.

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Natalie Norris, Prior’s Court Fundraising Manager, said: “Step by Step last year was a joyful event – to see the young adults supported by Prior’s Court and adults from Autism at Kingwood join together was wonderful to see. It was the first step in exploring closer working ties with Autism at Kingwood – so it is only right that we reprised the event in 2025.

“It is important to us as an organisation that the young people we support are empowered to take on fundraising challenges. Other young people supported by other charities can show their support for the help the charity provides them so the young people at Prior’s Court should be empowered to do the same – and Step by Step is one of the ways we can do this.”

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Together, the two charities directly support close to 200 people – with Prior’s Court specialising in education and residential care for autistic young people with complex needs aged 5 to 25 and Autism at Kingwood supporting around 110 autistic adults.

See Prior’s Court and Autism at Kingwood’s websites and social media channels for event updates on the day.

Watch a video from last year’s event:

Learn more about our Fun & Recreation appeal