A WOMAN whose son has been diagnosed with autism is training hard to raise funds for a Christchurch charity.

Natasha Cook from Hamworthy will run the Edinburgh marathon in May following the diagnosis of her son Mason, two, with autism.

She will be raising money for The Wessex Autistic Society based in Christchurch.

Natasha, who is married to a Marine and has an older son, Tyler, said: “I had spent some of my working life with children on the autism spectrum and I was aware of some of the behaviours.

“When Mason started displaying similar behaviours I suspected he might be on the spectrum.”

Following a referral, Mason was assessed at a Children’s Devel-opment Centre in Barnstaple, where the family were living, and five months after the assessment, Mason was diagnosed.

Natasha added: “Although I haven’t yet had to call on the charity for help and support, I know that we have a tough road ahead, and I know I am likely to need support in the future.

“I wanted to start my relationship with The Wessex Autistic Society by giving something.

“The more research I did on autism, the more support I realised we would need in the future.

“I thought I would like to do my bit for the charity that does such ama-zing things for families like ours.”

Tyler, Nat-asha’s eldest also has additional needs.

She said: “I hope that both my sons can lead full and active lives participating in as much as possible with all the support and help available to them throughout their lives.

“What is most important is that both my boys are happy and they know we are doing the very best we can for them – even if that means running marathons.”

To sponsor Natasha, go to justgiving.com/natasha-cook.