Dad to do London Marathon in aid of National Autistic Society (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Dad to do London Marathon in aid of National Autistic Society

10:00am Sunday 17th March 2013 in News

A Pudsey policeman will pound the beat of the London Marathon in aid of an autism charity.

Sergeant Paul Curtis, 39, is running for the National Autistic Society (NAS) because his five-year-old son Reuben (with whom he is pictured) has suspected Asperger syndrome.

The youngster is undergoing assessment for the lifelong developmental condition, which is a form of autism and affects how people communicate with others.

Sgt Curtis, who serves with West Yorkshire Police, said: “Reuben is a very bright boy but he can struggle in social situations and finds it difficult to make friends, which are often traits of Asperger syndrome.

“It’s important to raise awareness of the condition so I decided to run for the National Autistic Society. Reuben’s sixth birthday falls on the same day as the marathon so I will be thinking of him all the time to spur me on.

“I’ve had a bit of a setback with training and have been struggling with shin splints on and off over the past few weeks, but I recently managed a 16-and-half mile run so I’m still feeling positive ahead of the day.“ To boost his fundraising, Sgt Curtis, who is a keen guitarist, is organising an Acoustic for Autism evening at Tiger Tiger in Leeds. It is on April 3 at 7.30pm. There will be six acts, including Sgt Curtis, and all proceeds from tickets will go to NAS.

Tickets, priced £7, are available at paul@paul-curtis.com. For the line-up of acts, go to www.paul-curtis.com.

You can donate to Sgt Curtis at www.justgiving.com/PaulCurtis74.