Corporates racing for autism

Autism West is aiming to raise $130,000 at its 2014 iiNet Team Sprint Cup later this month.

The relay-sprint swimming race will include teams from Euroz, Decmil Group, GMP Securities, Pedersons Hire, Budget Forklifts and Perth Pathology, among others.

Autism West deputy chair Karl Paganin, who is also GMP Securities’ managing director of corporate finance, said Perth businesses had rallied behind the annual corporate challenge.

The event will also include a corporate cocktail party featuring triple Olympic medallist, Kieren Perkins, and Australian Olympic swim coach Laurie Lawrence as guest speakers.

Funds raised from the Team Sprint Cup, to take place on March 30 at Christ Church Grammar School in Claremont, go directly towards those affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The event will also include the Ace Cinemas School Challenge, which will host three categories featuring swimmers from years five to year 10.

Last year, the event raised $130,000 with Azure Capital taking first place in the corporate race. Other teams to participate included Decmil Group, Auzcorp and Amex Corporation.

Mr Paganin said the aim was to run about 20 teams in this year’s corporate race, which is a six by 50-metre relay, and called on interested companies to sign up.