TalkTalk has raised £420,000 at its twelfth annual gala dinner, Night of Ambition, in support of Ambitious about Autism; the national charity for children and young people with autism.
Since 2006 TalkTalk has raised just under £4 million for the charity, a truly transformative sum that has improved the lives of thousands of children and young people with autism across the UK.
The impressive event was held at The Tower of London and attracted more than 500 guests including some of the UK’s top CEOs, as well as TalkTalk colleagues, partners and suppliers. The evening was sponsored by Sagemcom and Transcom and hosted by the much-loved impressionist and comedian Jon Culshaw, who performed his infamous Impressionist Karaoke set. Celebrity guests were also in attendance including Broadcaster and Author Kathy Lette and Radio DJ Johnny Vaughan.
During the gala, guests pledged £30,000 towards Ambitious about Autism’s Youth Council, a group of nearly 50 autistic young people from across England who are supported to raise awareness and understanding of autism in society and campaign for change to support their peers.
Jolanta Lasota. Ambitious about Autism Chief Executive, said: “Through this programme, these astounding young people are changing the world. They have developed a mental health toolkit, kick started a major employability programme and an online network bringing young autistic people together.
“Over the past 12 years, TalkTalk’s unwavering commitment to supporting thousands of children and young people with autism has been incredible.
“This year’s Night of Ambition has been no exception and we’re enormously grateful to everyone who took part for their generosity. This partnership continues to ensure that children and young people with autism are given a voice”
TalkTalk Chief Executive, Tristia Harrison, said: “It has been a real joy to see Night of Ambition grow into the fundraising event it is today and we’re delighted to have raised a further £420,000 for Ambitious about Autism. We’d like to say a big thank you to the kindness and generosity of our partners and suppliers who have continued to show their support and enabled this brilliant charity to change the lives of so many young people with autism for the better.”
Notes to editor
- Ambitious about Autism is the national charity for children and young people with autism. We provide services, raise awareness and understanding, and campaign for change. Through TreeHouse School, and Ambitious College and the Rise School, we offer specialist education and support.
- Our ambition is to make the ordinary possible for more children and young people with autism.
- Autism is a lifelong developmental disability which affects 1 in 100 people in the UK. It affects the way a person communicates and how they experience the world around them.
- TalkTalk is the UK’s leading value for money provider of broadband, TV, mobile and telephone services.
- TalkTalk has supported Ambitious about Autism for over ten years and has raised nearly £4 million over the course of the partnership, engaging TalkTalk employees, suppliers and customers as well as providing services to Ambitious about Autism’s two schools, Ambitious College and West Thames College.