Around 1 in a 100 people suffers from autism and Stephen McPartland, MP for Stevenage, is supporting a nationwide charity challenge to help raise awareness of issues affecting pupils with autism.

Stephen said, “I am delighted to be supporting the Anderson Schools Challenge and help raise awareness of autism. School can be a real struggle for many children with the condition, but better understanding can make a real difference. This is a fun and easy way to improve awareness of autism and I am happy to attend any of the events in schools."

The Anderson Schools Challenge is a joint campaign between The National Autistic Society (NAS) and the Anderson Foundation, which asks schools to complete 50 fun and easy tasks. The tasks, which range from fitting 50 items into a Smarties tube to holding an autism-awareness assembly. To sign up to the Anderson Schools Challenge visit www.autism.org.uk/schoolschallenge