Warsop Inner Wheel Club was formed in 1972 and is one of 29 clubs in District 22, which covers the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire areas. The club was supported at its first Masquerade Ball by its sister clubs from Kirkby in Ashfield, Mansfield and Sherwood Forest.
Helping to raise funds at the ball, was a bubble tower tombola and a hamper raffle, with many of the prizes being donated by local companies, well-wishers and of course our club members, of which there are 45. Almost 200 members and guests attended the ball and danced the night away to the International Sway Band, who came up from London to help launch their first venture into hosting a ball. They played music through the decades and kept the dance floor buzzing all night. The John Fretwell Centre was an excellent location and hosted a fabulous three course meal for almost 200 guests.
President Helen Tomlinson, of the Inner Wheel Club of Warsop, has chosen Autism East Midlands (AEM) as her charity for the year. It is a charity she holds dear to her heart as many people close to her have been affected by the challenges that autism and the whole spectrum can bring. The support that is given by AEM to so many families is one that should never be taken lightly. Helen said she is thrilled that the club chose to support her with what is a first for the club, and launching the Inner Wheel Club of Warsop’s President’s Charity Ball for AEM as they celebrate 50 years of supporting in the community and fundraising.
As Inner Wheel is a women’s charity, based around fun and friendship, the aspects of autism that affect women and girls was of keen interest to everyone. The presentation of autism spectrum conditions can be very different in women and girls and is often missed or becomes a mis-diagnosis, as the diagnostic systems available to clinicians often focus on male examples which can cloud the issue in diagnosing women and girls.
Autism is a complex, life-long condition which affects the development of communication, social and life skills. It affects how individuals perceive the world and interact with others. The extent of the autistic spectrum is wide-ranging, varying from profound severity in some to subtle problems of understanding in others. No two individuals with autism are alike as autism affects everybody differently. Whilst there is no cure for autism, with the right structured support, education and care, much can be done to help children and adults with autism to live as full and independent a life as possible.
The event helped raise much needed funds for a charitable organisation that does not receive Government funding and was started 50 years ago by parents desperate to help their children. As the children grew up, the range of care needed extended in to adulthood. Members of AEM also attended the ball and thanked the guests for all their support and good will.