GDS International Raises £31,500 for Autism Charities

BRISTOL, England, November 2, 2011 -

The chairman of global business events company GDS International set his staff a challenge: how much money can you raise for Autism charities in just three months? It’s incredible what 450 talented people can do.

Spencer Green, chairman of global business events company GDS International (www.gdsinternational.com), decided that GDS needed to be more than a good place to do business: it had to be a business that did good.

He launched the GDS Foundation (www.gdsfoundation.com) in March, with the initial ambition of helping charities that work with autism spectrum disorder children and young people.

“I chose to raise money for Autism charities because my son has Asperger’s, an autism spectrum disorder,” says Spencer. “I also wanted to set some professional and personal challenges

“My professional challenge is to make the company I founded, GDS International, a good place to do business - good because it has clear, easily communicated values for our staff, and good because it provides a clear, easily communicated and proven value for our clients.

“Delivering on both of these things will mean cracking careers in an uncertain jobs market, a more secure future for staff and for the company.

“I also want to make GDS a place to do good, so we combined professional and personal, because a) people work better when they are excited about something, and b) feeling good about yourself is the best way to start everyday - whatever you’re doing.”

GDS people around the world were given just three months to raise as much money as possible. It’s incredible what 450 talented staff can achieve.

From shaking buckets to eating super-hot chicken wings, running 119 miles in 41 hours or travelling 1800 miles for under £50 in 72 hours, assault courses, gigs, and a world café, GDS International raised just over £31,500!

“I could not be more proud of everyone,” says GDS Foundation manager Hannah Duffie. “Outside of fundraising, we will also be sending small groups to work with autistic children and young adults in their local community. Money is, of course, vital for autism charities, but volunteerism makes our fundraising real - and it is a superb way to encourage and foster personal growth.”

Watch the GDS International charity video here:

www.gdsinternational.com/Blog/Details/7/Congratulations-GDS-Over-£31500-raised-for-Autism-Charities

All monies raised were split between The National Autistic Society (UK), Austism Speaks (US) and Autism Spectrum (Australia).

Why should we all care about Autism?

1. Autism now affects about one in 100 children.

2. Many children with an autism spectrum disorder require full-time care and assistance. It costs on average three times more to raise a child with a severe impairment than a non-disabled child - many families with autism live in poverty.?

3. Children with autism have an inflexible adherence to specific routines or rituals (obsessive compulsive disorders).

4. Children with autism have an impaired ability to make friends, they may have difficulty making eye contact, using spoken language, pointing to objects, or otherwise communicating wants and needs.

5. Children with autism can be severely dyslexic. One in five have been excluded from school. Over 40% of children with autism have been bullied at school.

Contact:  Hannah Duffie (Hannah@gdsinternational.com)

+441179214000