A TEAM of employees are stepping out to raise money for Autism Wessex.

The four members of staff from Haskins Garden Centre in Ferndown are taking part in the Bournemouth Half Marathon on Sunday, October 7, in aid of the centre's charity of the year.

General manager Simon Hallam; customer services assistant team leader Pauline Oxford; admin assistant Ellie Trickett and customer service assistant Ruby Johnson will also be joined by Pauline’s daughter, Claire, and husband, David, making a total of a team of six.

Simon said: “Our training is going well and each team member is following their own dedicated training plan and thoroughly enjoying having the challenge of a half marathon to spur them on! Three members of our team have never run this distance before and they are enjoying the support of their colleagues to meet the weekly goals of completing short and long runs.”

The Ferndown garden centre is supporting Autism Wessex via fundraising activities throughout 2018. The centre aims to raise several thousands of pounds for the charity, as well as providing the space for Autism Wessex to host information and awareness evenings to raise further donations.

Autism Wessex provides high quality specialist services for adults and children affected by autism throughout Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire and Somerset. According to statistics there are around 700,000 people affected by autism in the UK.