Dad in marathon effort to raise autism charity cash
MAN STEPS OUT AFTER BATTLING DEPRESSION
THE stress of being a father to two severely autistic sons almost saw Martin Kilgallon’s family pay the ultimate price.
One Sunday night, in 2014, the Mirfield businessman walked from his home up to the M62 and began to wander along the hard shoulder at Brighouse.
“The next lorry that came along was going to be mine,” he said. “I was going under one.
“But, whether it was divine intervention or just because it was a Sunday, no lorries came along and I came round and realised I’d walked quite a long way.
“I went home and my wife, AnneMarie, realised I was depressed.”
The couple, whose sons Fredi and Tolan are both autistic, decided to help themselves by helping others.
“She was battling her own demons, too,” said Martin. “It was her idea to launch a support group for other parents like us, who were struggling with autistic children.”
The Whole Autism Family was launched at a time when health chiefs admitted services for autistic children needed radical improvement.
The charity is now thriving and has almost 900 members who benefit from its group therapy sessions, emotional support and knowledge of where to get official help and benefits. This Sunday, instead of plotting to take his own life, Martin will be pounding the streets of the capital taking part in the London Marathon in a bid to raise vital funds for the charity.
Martin, 45, said he and Anne-Marie were proud so many people were being helped by the Whole Autism Family.
They are now working in conjunction with Kirklees Council’s Special Educational Needs team and have been given the Duke of York’s Community Award – the youngest charity to ever receive it.
Martin said: “We were worried nobody would come to our opening day. I think about 15 people came and we now have 897 members.
“There’s still a lot of work to do, but
We were worried that nobody would come to our opening day. I think about 15 people came and we now have 897 members
there has been some improvement for parents of autistic children in Kirklees.
“The council has got an extra £1m and they’ve changed their attitude and behaviour to autism.
“A couple of us sit on their quality committee board and advise them and they do seem to have listened – so we are seeing improvement. But the thing we are proudest of is that nobody gets paid.
“Everything is done by volunteers. We are literally just the parents of autistic children.”
The charity holds most of its events at Sensory World, in Dewsbury, and also hosts days out for families.
It is hoping to arrange a male carers day to try and get the men in the group to open up and ensure no-one takes the same walk to the M62 as Martin.
To sponsor Martin in the London Marathon on Sunday, visit www.gofundme.com/martin-kilgallon-london-marathon