We are pleased to announce this year's winner of Supporters' Charity of the Year
We are delighted to announce that after almost 2,500 votes were cast by Hatters fans, Autism Bedfordshire have emerged as the winner of the Supporters’ Charity of the Year poll for 2016-17.
Town supporters voted in great numbers with almost 2,000 more people having their say than last year, when LAMP were announced as charity partners.
This year it is Autism Bedfordshire, a charity that has been helping autism sufferers in Luton and Bedfordshire for a quarter-of-a-century.
The charity’s chief executive Emma Reade told lutontown.co.uk: “We are over the moon to have been selected as Luton Town Supporters’ Charity of the Year.
“Autism is an often misunderstood and isolating condition. Having the support of the loyal Luton Town fans will help to raise awareness of the condition in the local community and much needed funds for the services we run, to support those in need.
“Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote for us, we look forward to an exciting year working together.”
Luton Town Supporter Liaison Officer John Miller said: “We are delighted to welcome Autism Bedfordshire to the Luton Town family.
“Last year our supporters came up with some wonderful ideas to help raise funds and improve the profile of LAMP, and they benefitted greatly from their season-long association with the football club.
“We hope for the same this season with Autism Bedfordshire and look forward to meeting with them in the coming weeks to discuss ways in which we can help them.”
Autism is a developmental disability which profoundly affects the way a person thinks, communicates and relates to the world around them.
It is a spectrum condition which means that, while all people with autism share certain difficulties, their condition will affect them in different ways.
Some people with autism are able to live relatively independent lives but others may have accompanying learning difficulties and need a lifetime of specialist support.
Established for 25 years, Autism Bedfordshire is a local charity that aims to improve the quality of life of people with autism and their families in Luton and Bedfordshire.
They currently support over 1,000 families across the county and run a number of services directly in the Luton including a social activity group for children with autism, a youth club for teenagers with the condition, a day time adult social group plus skills courses and employment support for adults with autism.