For a second year running The National Autistic Society (NAS), the UK’s leading charity for people affected by autism, are asking people to get together during the festive season and raise money for charity by throwing a FestiviTea Party.

FestiviTea Parties are a chance for friends, family and colleagues to get together during the festive period and share tea, cakes and laughs whilst raising money for the National Autistic Society. They can be held anywhere and at anytime, whether it’s at home, work or even the local community hall. You can make your FestiviTea Party as big or small as you like, and how you raise the money is also up to you. Guests can buy tickets, make a donation, or pay for the cakes and biscuits you bake!

Christmas can often be a stressful time for many families, however it is especially difficult for the half a million people affected by autism; they can often become confused and frightened by sudden changes of routine, unusual foods and new social activities. The NAS relies on donations in order to provide support and services for those affected by autism, and every penny raised really does make a difference.

Jane Asher, President of The National Autistic Society and famous for her cake baking said: “A FestiviTea Party is a great way to have fun and raise money for charity at the same time. I love baking cakes, especially at Christmas time, and if you have children it’s a great activity to get them involved in too. But don’t worry if you’re running out of time: you could always ask some friends to help out, or even pick up some ready-made supplies from the supermarket. Christmas is the perfect time to gather friends together and give something back to your community, and every penny raised from FestiviTea Parties will go towards helping the half a million people affected by autism in the UK.”

Autism is a serious, lifelong and disabling condition, but the right support at the right time can make an enormous difference to people’s lives.

All funds raised through FestiviTea parties will be used to support NAS services including Advocacy for Education service, Befriending scheme, Parent to Parent support service and help! programme.

· £20 – will mean we can provide specialist one-to-one befriending support for one person with autism or a member of their family for a month

· £50 – will mean ten more people getting the understanding and help they need through our telephone support

· £100 – will help pay for a full diagnosis of a child at our internationally respected and renowned NAS diagnostic and assessment centre

· £200 – will mean one more adult meeting others, doing things, going places and feeling less isolated for a year at a NAS social group

To find out how to organise your own FestiviTea Party, visit: www.festivitea.org.uk or order a pack by calling 0845 180 0426.