Run for Autism: Hayden's Lundy Island Trail Race

Isaac Kenyon is organizing this fundraiser to benefit The National Autistic Society.

On the 14th of July 2024 I completed the Lundy Island Trail Race (Fourteen miles of pristine, wildlife-encrusted tracks tended by the Landmark Trust are open for us to run, walk, and crawl) to raise funds and awareness for autism, a cause that's close to our hearts.

Hayden's participation in the race is not just a personal triumph but a powerful statement about the importance of ensuring equitable access to mental health services for neurodiverse individuals like himself. Living with autism, Hayden understands first-hand the challenges that neurodiverse individuals face, including higher rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. Studies estimate that up to 40% of individuals with autism have at least one anxiety disorder, Hayden has OCD.

Hayden’s mission is clear: to highlight the urgent need for mental health services that cater to neurodiverse populations. "By ensuring neurodiverse individuals receive the care they need, we can improve their quality of life, enhance societal productivity, and promote social justice," Hayden says. "As awareness and diagnosis of neurodiversity continue to increase, it becomes even more important to adapt our mental health services to meet these needs effectively for future generations."

Despite the growing recognition of neurodiversity, there remains a significant 'treatment gap' between those who need mental health care and those who receive it. For neurodiverse individuals, this gap is alarmingly wide due to several barriers:

Limited Availability of Specialist Services
Inadequate Screening and Diagnosis
Lack of Tailored Interventions
Financial Constraints—not all treatments are covered by the NHS.

According to the Nuffield Trust, mental health services are accessed by only around a quarter of people in the community who need them, with neurodiverse individuals being particularly overrepresented within this 'treatment gap'.

Hayden’s message to the new government is a call to action: prioritise mental health funding for neurodiverse individuals to bridge this gap and prevent unnecessary suffering. "I don’t want to see more people suffering when they don't need to," Hayden emphasises.

In addition to his athletic endeavours, Hayden is an active member of his community, tirelessly raising funds and awareness about autism and mental health. He educates others on these critical issues, advocating for a society where everyone, regardless of neurodiversity, has the opportunity to achieve optimal mental health.

Do you want to join me in making a difference? I'm raising money in aid of The National Autistic Society and every donation will help. Thank you in advance for your contribution to this cause which means so much to me.

More information about The National Autistic Society: Founded in 1962, we are the UK's leading charity for autistic people and their families. Our goal is to help transform lives, change attitudes, and create a society that works for autistic people.