AN inspirational speech by a Crewe woman who has autism stole the show at a charity’s annual conference last week.

More than 250 people attended the Autism Networks event last Wednesday at Crewe Alexandra’s Gresty Road stadium.

It featured keynote presentations from special guests including Alison Douglas who made an emotional and thought-provoking debut speech on her personal experience of the condition.

Mick Rimmington, projects co-ordinator, said: “The main aim of the conference was to give people the chance to hear some eminent researchers and authors from the world of autism, as well as raising autism awareness and to promote some of the great work Autism Networks is doing.

“For us the event was a huge success, it has clearly put autism in Cheshire squarely on the map. The feedback has been fantastic and everybody worked exceptionally hard to make it a big success.

“I think the highlight of the day for many of the delegates was the final presentation by Alison, whose insightful view point into her own life with autism stole the show.”

Autism Networks is a local charity formed in 2002 to help all those facing autism and they held their first conferences back in 2005 and 2006.

In December the charity was awarded £10,000 grant from Gannett – owners of the Crewe and Nantwich Guardian – to build a sensory rooms at its Prince Albert Street base.

“Greater awareness and scope of support services is desperately needed,” said Mick.

“With the help of organisations like the Gannett Foundation we have been able to invest more than £20,000 into our resource centre and will be developing a range of services over the coming months for all those people facing autism.”

Despite a fantastic day many delegates were hampered by the stormy conditions and were stranded in Crewe until the following day.

E-mail admin@autismnet works.org.uk or log on to autismnetworks.org.uk