The NAS is the exclusive charity partner of Thomas & Friends, the much-loved children's characters.
Many children with autism share a special bond with Thomas & Friends. Research has shown that 57% of children associate with Thomas before any other children's character, and many parents feel that Thomas provides a point of entry to the world of communication and play.
Since 2001 HIT Entertainment, one of the world's largest independent toy producers and rights owners, has licensed the image rights of the Thomas & Friends characters to the NAS. This has led to a hugely successful cause-related marketing partnership, which has raised an incredible £940,000 for people affected by autism.
Counter-top merchandise
The most successful element of the partnership has been co-branded, NAS-exclusive Thomas & Friends merchandise. Our Thomas & Friends pin badges, zip pulls and bookmarks are extremely popular and have been sold in high street retailers including Barclays, HBOS, Lloyds TSB, Tesco and Vodafone.
How you can make a difference
Both the NAS and HIT Entertainment are extremely proud of our partnership and the support it has offered to thousands of people affected by autism.
We would like to invite your company to get involved through retailing our NAS-branded Thomas & Friends merchandise. Our boxes of Thomas & Friends zip-pulls offer your staff and customers an easy way to support people affected by autism. A box of zip pulls can be placed on a counter-top or at a point of sale and for a suggested donation of £1, your customers can buy an exclusive piece of Thomas & Friends merchandise.
To find out how your company can get involved in this unique cause-related marketing partnership, get in touch with our team. (See details right.)
Train Walk
In 2009, the NAS joined forces with Thomas & Friends to bring you Train Walk - fun, family-friendly, Thomas-themed sponsored walks that take place across the country every year. Train Walks will be happening across the UK in 2011.