My name is Eric Walker, I'm 21 and live in Southampton. I graduated from the University of Winchester this Summer and now work as a Data Analyst but I also have a sideline as a singer and songwriter.
My connection with Mencap
Mencap means a lot to me because I suffer with Semantic Pragmatic Disorder,
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a learning difficulty. People who have dyslexia can find it hard to read, write and spell.
and Dyspraxia. I have also worked as a
support worker
Support workers
Support workers are people who are paid to give care and support to people who need it.
are people who are paid to give care and support to people who need it.
for adults with severe
autism
Autism is a disability. Autistic people find it difficult to understand what other people think and feel. They also find it difficult to tell people what they think and feel. Everyone with autism is different.
. I think Mencap does some great work but is often overlooked.
I believe that more people need to be educated about learning disabilities and how they affect the lives of people who either have a
learning disability
A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things.
, or know someone with a learning disability.
My fundraising event
In early 2016 fellow student Stephen Blackwood, 19, and I undertook a 24 hour radio show on our university’s radio station Sound Radio. We wanted to raise money for Mencap and awareness about learning disabilities. We both love presenting on the radio and already presented our own 2 hour shows every week but presenting for 24 hours was a very big challenge!
The 24 hour radio show was really fun but tiring! It was very tough, especially once we reached the 10th hour of the 24 hour show.
We started to get very tired and a little bit stir crazy as the show went on, but through perseverance and seeing the donations go up and up we made it through. As we approached the sunrise we knew we only had a few hours left and we became extremely determined to see it through until the end.
It was brilliant seeing our listener’s donating as the show went on and we ended up raising a fantastic £230.
If Eric and Stephen's story has inspired you to raise money for Mencap visit the Fundraising, your way webpage to find out how we can help you.