Coup for Wairarapa autism trust

TEAM EFFORT: Autism Wairarapa Charitable Trust members Graeme Sawyer, (standing, left) chairman, Lady Lochore, patron, and trustees John Bunny, Lesley Gray, Robyn McKeown, Alan Bohm and Judy Sawyer. Seated are field workers Wendy Paterson (left) and Wendy Roesler.

The wife of a rugby legend has pledged her support to one of Wairarapa's newest community trusts.

Lady Pam Lochore, wife of Sir Brian Lochore, is now patron of Autism Wairarapa Charitable Trust - a group devoted to supporting children, adults and families living with autism spectrum disorders. As patron, Lady Lochore will be joining the trustees - all of whose lives have been affected by autism - in their fundraising ventures.

"Pam is very keen to roll up her sleeves and come on board," said trust chairman Graeme Sawyer.

"When we were looking for a patron, hers was one of the names that was bandied about. So we approached her, and she accepted with no hesitation."

Trust community support co-ordinator Wendy Roesler said having Lady Pam on the team shows the trust is fully committed to working with people with autism in Wairarapa.

"We're absolutely ecstatic," said Ms Roesler, formerly a field worker with Autism New Zealand. "Having someone of Pam's community stature on board gives us that credibility - it shows we're not fly-by-night."

With Lady Pam on board, the trustees are hard at work raising funds to support Ms Roesler and fellow field worker Wendy Paterson.

The trust has secured a permanent base in Dixon St and computer equipment for the field workers, and is in the process of buying a car.

The "two Wendys" need further funding to continue their support and education programmes.

"We're starting to gain a bit of horse power, but we still need that financial backing," said Mr Sawyer, whose granddaughter lives with autism.

"The work they do educating the community is so important.

"There's a lot of ignorance out there about autism - people see it as a life sentence. But with the right help, autistic children can play an important role in the community and can be employed as adults."

Trustees have made applications for funding to the Lotteries Commission and the Community Organisation Grants Scheme, and recently received a grant from the Eastern and Central Community Trust.

It will also be running community fundraising events and public seminars.

"It's all starting to feel real now," said Ms Roesler.