Knysna will be the port of call for seven intrepid participants in the Big Autism Thing (BAT) today, Thursday, May 17, as part of their walk from Durban to Cape Town.

The walk, which started on March 31 and is expected to end on June 9, commemorates the celebration of World Autism Awareness Day on April 2.

The coastline walk has been undertaken by a group of committed people wanting to highlight the needs of those in the Autism spectrum.

Led by former Springbok, turned professional golfer Angus Moore (49) of Charity-on-the-Go in Darling, who has been involved with charity events for the past 11 years, the team includes Gareth Moore (53) who has been involved with charity drives for the past four years, including a walk from Luderitz to Cape Town and Cape Town to Port Elizabeth; Philip Earl (32) a journalist from Cape Town; Rosemary Moore (43) an artist from Darling; Melissa Naude (19) a second-year student studying for a Bachelor of Social Science (Environmental Affairs and Geography) at UKZN who has Asperger's Syndrome (a form of Autism) and her friend Nolwazi Magwaza, also 19 and a second-year student in Public Relations at the Durban University of Technology; Wayne Rutherford (42) a sales and marketing consultant from Johannesburg; Paul Ringrose, at 67 the oldest member of the team who has recently returned from sailing solo across the Atlantic and back, and who has also done a lone walk from Johannesburg to Durban and cycled the same route.

The walk is also an endeavour to raise funds for Autism organisations: The Association for Autism (Gauteng), De Grendel Homes (Western Cape), Autism Eastern Cape (Port Elizabeth), Academy for Adults with Autism (Western Cape) and Action in Autism (KZN).

The walkers will arrive in Knysna from Plettenberg Bay mid-late morning. They will be welcomed by a brass band in Main Road at the St George's Anglican Church and will then be guided to the Woodmill Lane Centre where they will hand over a letter to Executive Mayor Georlene Wolmarans, thanking the town for its participation in the campaign. Mayor Wolmarans will give a brief speech about the campaign, making people aware of Autism. Flyers informing everyone about Autism will also be available.

From Knysna, the walkers will continue on to Sedgefield, George, Mossel Bay, Gouritzmond, Stillbaai, Witsand, Malgas, Bredasdorp, Arniston, Struisbaai, Die Dam, Gansbaai, Hermanus, Kleinmond, Rooi Els, Strand and end up in Muizenberg on June 9.

For more information on the Big Autism Thing go to www.bigautismthing.co.za or call 073 393 8451.

Donations can be made to Big Autism Thing, ABSA Bank Hatfield, 4078899809, using BAT, your name and telephone number as a reference.