Lend a hand to Hugo

In 2014, Lend a hand to Hugo was founded by then 14 year old schoolboy Luke Williams who’s nephew, Hugo Barrett had been diagnosed with the Autism Spectrum Disorder. The initial aim of the charity was too boost Hugo’s hours of Applied Behaviour Analysis therapy from 8 to the required 20. With therapy ranging from $40-$190 an hour, 20 hours was close to impossible to fund for the young family with two children.

Grade nine student Luke, off his own back decided to begin a charity in Hugo’s name not only to raise additional funds for Hugo’s therapy, but to also raise awareness for the Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Since 2014, the charity has gone on to raise in excess of $40,000, boosted Hugo’s hours and has branched out to assist six separate families through the funding of therapy and learning resouces. The charity has also launched projects such as their ‘donation box program’ that saw 30+ donation boxes hit local counters in Tasmanian stores. Since its initiation in early 2016, the program has gone on to raise over $5,500, not to mention the copious amounts of awareness. The charity has also ran three separate charity cricket matches, a horse racing day, a comedy night and Luke has visited numerous amounts of sporting clubs, businesses and schools to educate people (particularly teenagers) on the importance of acceptance and inclusion surrounding those living with disabilities. The charity has also worked with major Australian businesses in Telstra and MyState. In June of 2016, Lend a hand to Hugo launched our ‘I will lend a hand’ campaign through a promotional video featuring some of Tasmania’s finest public figures to bring light to the Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Luke has also managed to sign some of Australia’s top athletes as ambassadors for the cause. Ben Brown & Mitchell Hibberd (North Melbourne Football Club), Jordan Roughead (Western Bulldogs), Alex Pearce (Fremantle), Luke Burgess (Former Australian Wallabies), Jordan Silk (Cricket Tasmania and Sydney Sixers), Ben McDermott (Hobart Hurricanes and Cricket Tasmania), Chris Lynn (Australia, Queensland and Brisbane Heat) and Clive Rose (Hobart Hurricanes) are just some who have pledged their support to the charity.

Whilst the funds go a long way to helping, the awareness raised for the Autism Spectrum Disorder has made a significant impact on many Tasmanian and Australian lives.