Most turn to Noah’s Inclusion Services for support.

Noah’s is inviting local people to take up the challenge for a fun-filled day and to help support this vital service for families in our local community.

Providing essential support for kids with a disability and their families is central to what Noah’s does for the local community.

Now it’s the community’s turn to rally behind this vital service through their annual event, Noah’s Challenge which will be held on Sunday, October 21.

The annual Noah’s Challenge, now in its seventh year, invites the community to participate in a fun family-friendly event while also helping to raise vital funds for Noah’s Inclusion Services.

Noahs is a not-for-profit organisation that supports children and their families tackling the challenges of disabilities and developmental delays.

The challenge is an exciting Amazing Race-style course commencing from Moorhouse Park, Scenic Drive in Nowra.

Starting at 9am, the fun team event for all ages and abilities will see participants tackle various checkpoint challenges along with a 4km course, and finishing the day with music, refreshments, entertainment and lots of giveaways.

CEO of Noah’s Inclusion Services, Alice Lans, said the community had always supported the event.

“Noah’s Challenge has always enjoyed enormous support from our generous local community and we’re hoping to see that support again for families that need a helping hand,” Mrs Lans said.

Funds raised from the event will allow Noah’s to continue offering its Start-Up program which helps to assess, diagnose and support young children who may have difficulties in more than one area of development.

“Noah’s see about 70 children a year through the Start-Up program, and with no Government funding available, we are calling on our community to help us save this vital service,” Mrs Lans said.

Mother of four, Stephanie Lymbery, has found unparalleled support and care from Noah’s for two of her children with autism spectrum disorder.

“Going through the Start-Up program with Scarlett, and later with my son Maverick, has made such a difference to our family,” she said.

“Being able to identify the areas of delay meant that we were able to get the early intervention that we needed.”

Having so many services under the one roof and having a vast knowledge of how and where to get help means that families, like Stephanie’s, can get the support from Noah’s that they desperately need.

“Noah’s Start-Up program really set us on the right path. Without their guidance, I can’t imagine what life would be like for my family today,” says Stephanie.

Early intervention is crucial for children on the spectrum, and Noah’s Start-Up program is changing lives for families, like Stephanie’s.

Noah’s is inviting you to take up the Challenge for a fun-filled day and to help support this vital service for families in our local community.

To register for Noah’s Challenge or to donate, visit www.noahschallenge.com.au

Start Up is an innovative assessment program for families with concerns about their child’s development. Run by an experienced team of professionals including psychologists, speech pathologists, occupational therapists and early childhood educators the program provides information, practical ideas, developmental assessment and diagnosis.

Noah’s Inclusion Services are a community based, not-for-profit organisation. Since 1981, Noah’s has been working with children of all abilities and their families to provide excellence in early childhood education, therapy and support. Noah’s Shoalhaven is located at the Shoalhaven Campus of the University of Wollongong, George Evans Road, Mundamia (West Nowra). For more information, please visit: www.noahs.org.au