For Being Part of ‘Autism’s Got Talent’ AKO Thanks….

 

 

The performers and their amazing families

The support, encouragement and patience that the families brought with them certainly got us through this day and it was a pleasure to be around all of them and share this experience with them. We can’t sing their praises enough.

 

 

Pineapple Performing Arts School

Debbie Moore

Maggie Patereson

Pineapple have supported us throughout this long journey to bring this show to the stage allowing us to use facilities at their dance studios as well as Maggie working with us at every step of the way. Her experience and knowledge has been a great help to us….as well as her smile and wink of an eye when we were feeling the stress!  

The Dancers from Pineapple Performing Arts School we can’t speak highly enough of. They brought with them not only their very professional manner and skills but also three amazing pieces including one on bullying that a couple of our performers identified with and one of them in a very personal way. Many people were moved by their performances and the way in which they supported and encouraged everyone to join in with the Finale. We hope that the bright lights of the stage are ALWAYS there to shine on these young stars of the future.

 

Fiona Shepherd

Technical Crew

Fiona worked with us as part of the Pineapple team but we wan’t to take this opportunity to thank her personally. A stage manager has a lot of stress and hard work to go through to put on a show at any time but there was the chance there could be so much more to go wrong with this show. Fiona took everything in her stride and ran her crew in a very professional way. She was very ‘Autism Aware’ and that showed as all the performers were comfortable in talking to her and communicating their needs as well as listening to her directions. The day could not have run as it did without Fiona who didn’t stop once ALL DAY. The crew working with Fiona were of a very high standard and again understood the different demands that Autism can bring. They supported the performers and us at AKO all day with little break or public thanks. We thank you guys :O)

 

Soulbasics

 

 

Jade Flannagan

Jade is an absolute star. The work he put in on our Dance DVD becomes all the more apparent when you see those dancing with him as their eyes light up and they jump up to greet him. Those that hadn’t met him before recognised him straight away and broke out into some of his moves. A lovely guy that we can’t thank enough.

 

Staff from Hillingdon Manor School

Ushers

Front of house staff

All volunteers on the day

All of these people tirelessly worked throughout the day to make sure everything ran as smoothly as possible. The environment in the Auditorium and the Foyer along with the lovely displays were only possible due to how all these smashing people got on and did them. Very much the unseen army! They gave up their Saturday and we are very grateful to them.

 

West London Community College Students and Staff

The students with their presentation of the ‘Wizard of Oz’ were an absolute joy to be around and constantly sharing smiles and laughs with us all. They handled the somewhat personal invasion of having radio mics put on them very well with a number of comical comments! Jamie and Craig transported them to the theatre and were with them all day long helping out where they could with other things. Two great members of staff and a credit to the College.

 

Hillcrest Care

The Autism show

All the effort and manpower we had would mean nothing without the financial support that is needed to help guarantee an event like this is carried off successfully. We received donations from both of these concerns to help us on our way! Thank you!

 

Jenny Cross and Insight Magazine

Karen Reddell and My Family Magazine

We received the most amazing promotion and articles in these magazines thanks to the support of Jenny and Karen. If we can’t reach out to people in the community then there is no one to hear our voice so we can’t stress enough how much this means to us.

 

Trina (Photographer)

Let’s just say the great photographs speak for themselves! I have never seen so many pictures taken by one person and none of them had heads missing!

 

Nathan (Off the Radar)

Nathan was with us for the day working on a documentary following one of our performers. Along with his crew he was the perfect Gentleman and very aware of the demands that could present themselves at any moment with Autism so he ALWAYS asked where he could be and checked at every stage what he was allowed to do. A very professional man and a credit to his industry.

 

Esther Rantzen

John Bercow

Lynsey De Paul

Pippa Langhorne

All of these well known people gave up their Saturday Evenings to spend time with us and introduce acts onto the stage. All of them took the time to find out more about the people they were introducing and time to speak with the performers and families. They were all lovely people to be around and we were honoured to have them with us.

 

Peter Dickson

West Taylor-Lewis

Peter is the ‘the voice’ of Britain’s got Talent and very generously gave up time before going to film the show live to meet with our performers and their families as well as joining them for a great group photograph. He recorded two introductions for both halves of the show which instantly caused a stir in the audience! We would also like to thank W for arranging this for us and not only bringing Peter to us but making sure he got to studio in time for his own show! we wouldn’t want to keep Mr. Cowell waiting!

The Audience and All AKO Supporters

Simply put none of this would be possible without you ALL and we hope that you will continue to support us and join us in all future events such as AUTISM’S GOT TALENT 2013!!