Sue takes on the inflatable 5k challenge

9th October 2025

Battling 31-degree heat, giant obstacles, and exhaustion, Sue pushed through some seriously tough obstacles to raise £210 for Autism Hampshire.

Sue Morgan, Bid Co-ordinator at Avenues Group, ran the Inflatable 5k in Eastleigh earlier this year in a bid to help Autism Hampshire continue supporting autistic people across the county.

Sue has a close connection to the charity, having worked within Autism Hampshire and Avenues since 2022. Through her role, and her own late autism diagnosis, she has seen first-hand the impact of Autism Hampshire’s work and was determined to give something back by fundraising.

Sue said: “Despite 31 degree heat and some fiercely challenging obstacles, I completed it and I have to thank my darling husband for being with me all the way round and my dear friends Abi and Nesto for encouraging me to keep going.

“My running training didn't help much as it was far too hot to run (everyone walked at some point) and the obstacles were more suited to younger, fitter folks than me.

“But I did it, and the reason I didn't give up was because of the money I was raising for Autism Hampshire. Thank you to everybody who supported me.”

At the age of 65, Sue accepted a self-diagnosis of autism, nearly a decade after a close autistic friend first suggested it.

Since then, she has embraced her identity and found new freedom and confidence in both her personal life and her artwork.

Sue said: “I’d dismissed it because of my previous view of what autism was. I thought of it as being a disability and linked with severe meltdowns.

“To accept it is to free yourself. It’s freed me and given me more confidence than I have ever had. Even when I used to look confident, inside I was in constant anxiety, constantly worried about people judging me.

"Now I don’t worry about what I used to describe as my ‘foibles’.”

Sue’s determination shows that it doesn’t matter what obstacles are in the way – with motivation and belief in a cause, you can go further than you ever thought possible.

Her achievement is a reminder that fundraising isn’t just about money, but about inspiration: showing others what can be done when you refuse to give up.

Go to our fundraising webpage to find out more about fundraising opportunities.