AuDHD UK’s First Fundraiser Raises £895 for Adult Neurodivergent Support
On 19th December, AuDHD UK, a new charity founded in September 2024, held its first fundraiser at Dummer Down Brewery and Tap Room near Basingstoke. This was an evening of folk music with a local folk club, preceded by a ceramics workshop with sculptor Peter Mears. Between the two events, both sold out, we managed to raise a total of £895 which is incredible and makes a huge difference, so thank you to everyone who donated and attended the fundraiser. Every penny raised goes towards adult autism and ADHD assessments, or therapy for those diagnosed as adults.
The ceramics workshop was introduced by Peter Mears, who shared how his work as a sculptor is influenced by music and mathematics. The session included warm-up exercises like tapping names in Morse code, tracing hands to explore reverberation, and creating handprints in clay. Participants then made individual sculptures, which Peter calls "notes," using his "symphony of clay" instruments. At the end, the pieces formed a collective composition, then were fired and returned to their creators. Peter’s studio is at Dummer Down Farm, and more about his work can be found at www.petermears.studio.
The folk night was a sold-out success with all advance tickets pre-purchased, plus a few extra on the door. As a result, the intimate venue was packed to the rafters. The evening started with a short speech from AuDHD UK CEO & Founder Georgina Banks, welcoming everyone to the folk club and telling them a little bit about AuDHD UK - why she started it and the charity’s aims - and then it was on to the music. There were eight musicians playing a range of instruments, from guitar to clarinet to pedal steel, creating an old-timey folk sound. The audience created such a positive and wholesome atmosphere; everyone joined in singing or clapping along to folk club favourites such as ‘Dirty Old Town’, ‘Fisherman’s Blues’ and a ‘This Is the Life / Zombie’ mashup. One audience member even booked members of the folk club for a private party after Christmas, bringing in even more funds.
We are currently planning some AuDHD UK fundraising events for 2025, so please keep a look out for details of upcoming fundraisers. If you are able to donate to this worthwhile cause, please visit our Donations page.
