THE CHIEF executive of a national charity is to get back in touch with his roots.

Mark Lever, 50, who lives in Wanborough, will be joining grass-root volunteers from the National Autistic Society in their quest to ride 300-miles from Windsor Castle to the Eiffel Tower in France in the first weekend in June.

Mark, who rode in his youth, said that he is not only taking part in the event himself as a personal challenge, but also as a way to help numerous autism organisations rebound from the fundraising gap left by nationwide council-cuts.

Mark says that the recession has led to the axe falling on many council-run services around the country, putting pressure on the charity to fill these gaps.

“I thought it was down to me to take part this year as lots of organisations rely on funding from local authorities, and almost each one is cutting funding around the country,” he said. “It’s a completely different experience being a fundraiser than the chief executive, because I am no longer making big decisions.

“Instead I am on the ground and get to see just how much effort people put in to fundraising.

“It certainly makes me a lot more careful when spending our funds.

He added: “We get 55,000 calls from people looking for help each year and this service costs us £600,000, if we can’t fully cover this cost, less calls get answered and as a result more people suffer.”

In all 29 supporters, including Mark, will be taking part in the three-day ride which is expected to raise £50,000 for the charity.

Riders are expecting to ride for eight-hours a day, followed by a vehicle carrying a mechanic and doctor and the event due to end on the Monday at 5pm in Paris.

“I’m in my 50th year, so although I used to ride when I was younger, I have been training for this,” said Mark.

“People with autism have challenges around social communication and interaction, and this can make the world a very threatening place – without support they feel isolated.

“However, as people may have seen on television shows recently, with the right support they have extraordinary potential.

“The problem is that with the way things are at the moment, the help out there doesn’t provide the right kind of support.”

Anyone interested in finding out more, or donating, can visit www.justgiving.com/mark lever or www.autism.org.uk.