Ken Bruce Supports Grant’s Wish for Autism
BBC Radio Two Broadcaster Ken Bruce has given his support to a young teenager from Cleland, Lanarkshire who is organising a charity ball at the Glasgow Marriott Hotel on 1 June 2013.
Grant Haddow (13), who has Aperger’s Syndrome, a form of autism, and his mum Julia are keen to raise awareness of autism following Grant’s diagnosis in 2010.
Ken Bruce, whose young son has autism said: “Autism is still a ‘hidden’ condition and I hope everyone will support Grant’s Wish to raise awareness of autism in the wider community.”
Julia said: “We are thrilled that Ken has given his support and best wishes to Grant’s Wish. We have sent him a ticket and hope that he and his family might be able to attend.
“Grant and I are extremely excited about the event. Although we have received good support since his diagnosis, some people are not terribly aware of autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. It would be great if people understood a bit more about why people on the autism spectrum behave in a certain way, and were a bit more understanding. Hopefully Grant’s Wish will help raise both awareness and money.”
Grant’s Wish comes under the umbrella of Holly’s Ball in Wales, which has run two hugely successful events since its inaugural event in 2011. Holly’s Ball has inspired events across the UK, including Emily’s Ball, which is taking place on April 13th 2013 in North Wales, and Riley’s Wish taking place in Somerset. All events help raise autism awareness throughout the UK. Grant’s Wish is the first event of this kind to take place in Scotland.
The event will raise funds for leading autism charities The National Autistic Society (NAS) Scotland and Scottish Autism. Generous local businesses are already supplying prizes for the fundraising raffle and auction. Entertainment will include Carly Ryan, singing star of the BBC 3 series Autistic Superstars.
Grant, already a successful singer, plans to perform at the family event himself. He's recently been accepted for Scottish Opera's Connect Gateway; a programme which gives aspiring singers and musicians the chance to develop their knowledge, technique and skill with the help of Scotland’s top opera professionals. A pupil at Glasgow’s St Aloysius’ College, he sings with his school's newly formed “Schola Cantorum” – which sings mainly church choral music and is also in the school choir which sings choral settings of more mainstream music. You can see Grant sing via this YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGfjwvFtOBQ.
Tickets for Grant’s Wish are still available (£45 per adult and £25 per child, tables of 10 can be purchased for £400) and can be booked online at www.grantswish.co.uk or by emailing info@grantswish.co.uk. Any donations of auction/raffle prizes would be greatly appreciated.
For more information visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/Grants-Wish-raising-autism-awareness-in-Scotland/218391841552062 or tweet @GrantsWish 2013.
BBC Radio Two Broadcaster Ken Bruce
