The #RedCupCheer challenge launched on 16th November and runs for three weeks, with voting closing on 6th December. The NAS branch in Sutton was chosen to participate by local Starbucks store Partners who are celebrating the return of the Red Cup this Christmas.
The Sutton branch of the NAS was re-launched in December 2014 by a group of parents of children on the autism spectrum. It provides a hub where parents, carers and autistic people in Sutton can get help, access services, support each other and meet other people and families in similar situations. More than 1 in 100 people in the UK are on the autism spectrum, a lifelong disability which affects how a person communicates with and relates to others, as well how they see the world. It is a spectrum condition which affects everyone differently. This means that while some people with autism are able to live relatively ‘everyday’ lives, others require a lifetime of specialist support.
“Having a child with autism can be a very isolating thing” said Rachael Phillips, Branch Officer of NAS Sutton. “Families find it harder to go out and do the things that other families take for granted, as they are worried that people will stare at them and mistake autistic traits for bad behaviour. If we are lucky enough to get a Red Cup Cheer grant then we will use this money to arrange activities for our families, where they can all be together in a safe and welcoming environment. It would be great if Sutton could get behind us on this!”.
“Since we were founded in 1971, we’ve sought to be a force for positive action in the communities we serve,” says Simon Redfern, Director of Corporate Affairs, Starbucks EMEA. “By bringing customers together for some #redcupcheer, we hope to support some great local charities and celebrate the work they do every day of the year.”
Nick Davies, Founder of Neighbourly says: "Red Cup Cheer is a fantastic way for Starbucks to connect with projects close to the hearts of customers and colleagues in their local communities. Neighbourly.com provides a space for projects to tell their story and share among friends and neighbours so that Starbucks can focus support where it's needed most. Good luck to all those participating."
The value of the Red Cup Grant each charity receives will be decided on the basis of a popular vote conducted on Twitter and neighbourly.com, as measured and recorded by Neighbourly's software and verified by Starbucks.