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 - based in Muswell Hill - 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 in November 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. Ambitious about Autism runs TreeHouse School in Muswell Hill, a specialist school for children with complex autism aged 4-19. It also runs Ambitious College, for young people aged 16-25, based at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London in Tottenham. 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.”
TalkTalk raised £420,000 ($540,000) at its annual gala dinner for Ambitious about Autism, the UK charity for children and young people with autism. Since 2006, the company has raised a total of £4m for the charity, which runs a specialist school for children with complex autism and a college for people aged up to 25.