A FATHER is raising funds for the National Autistic Society to say thanks for the vital support the group has given his son.

Paul Eatwell and his eldest son Nathanial are entering a triathlon in June to help the charity, which has helped Dominic Eatwell since he was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome aged eight.

Paul, 49, an IT manager for Barclays Bank, and Nathanial, 24, a teaching assistant at the Lancashire Educational Medical Service centre in Burnley, who is also studying for a degree in supporting people with special needs at Blackburn College, will tackle the Henley-on-Thames Triathlon on June 13, two days before Paul’s 50th birthday.

Paul, from Briar Croft, Lower Darwen, said: “Asperger’s Syndrome is a lack of social awareness, often known as high performing autism. People with Asperger’s can be incredibly mentally agile, they way they learn and read is almost compulsive, but they can be very unaware of their interaction with others.

“They will call a spade a spade, no matter how it can offend people, they will tell it like it is, for example if a man has a big nose they might tell him!

“Dominic copes with it very well. He is in a mainstream school at St Wilfrid’s, he sings in a choir and he’s made some very good friends.

“We have had help from NAS in getting a statement of special education needs and we’ve been to awareness sessions that help you with how to deal with councils and education authorities and schools, and also with children, to help them with coping strategies.

“My wife is a teacher and she had more knowledge of it, but it has helped me understand more about myself.

“It’s quite likely he inherited it from me and some of my behaviour as a youth could be associated with borderline autism.”

The event consists of a 400m swim, a 25km bike ride and finally a 5km run.

To help Paul and Nathanial with their fundraising visit www.justgiving.com/the-eatwells or www.nas.org.uk for more information.