LEGO® UK has extended its charity partnership with the NAS until 2011.
This follows a pledge to raise £80,000 to build a fantastic new playground at the NAS Radlett Lodge School in Hertfordshire and a donation of LEGO® products to NAS schools and services during 2007.
This £80,000 target was reached in December 2009 and work is scheduled to begin on the new playground in the summer of 2010. With the support of LEGO® UK, Radlett Lodge's play areas will be transformed into modern spaces where children can enjoy playing and having fun but also learning: the play areas are an ideal place to develop walking and movement skills; body awareness; social interaction with peers; and social imagination.
The extension of the partnership means that LEGO® UK will be continuing its fundraising activities to generate even more money for NAS services and projects.
Background to the partnership
Recent research demonstrates LEGO® toys may be able to help children who have autism (including Asperger syndrome) overcome social interaction difficulties.
Play is a fundamental part of any child's development and is an essential skill for children with autism to develop. The NAS runs six autism-specific schools and we think that playtime is a great opportunity to focus on pupils' communication, social interaction and leisure skills, which are key to the development of other life skills.
Fiona Wright, Marketing Director of LEGO® UK, says:
The NAS is a fantastic charity and one which LEGO® has a natural affinity with, as many children with autism benefit from playing with LEGO® toys. We've had tremendous support from staff and customers over the last two years and we're looking forward to helping fund some of the charity's other activities in the future.