Autism Show – November 2021

This months autism show with Aston Avery and regular contributor Anna Kennedy OBE highlighted anti-bullying month, updates to what’s been happening the autism community and highlights of Autism’s Got Talent 10th anniversary show.

First off Aston spoke to some of the performers from the Autism’s Got Talent 10th anniversary show.

Aston and Anna also spoke to race driver Sandro Ballesteros and his dad Tony about up coming race that Sandro is taking part in.

Anna had this to say after the show:

“Another busy show this November talking ‘All things Autism in Essex’ with Aston on Gateway Radio and exciting that we are now available on DAB.

“It was lovely to hear all the interviews with Aston at the Mermaid Theatre from most of our performers at our 10th year Birthday show of Autism’s got Talent.

“We are all so proud of them at the charity. We are now asking for potential performers to send in their entries for 2022 . Please check out the charity website for further information and show us your Talent!! www.annakennedyonline.com

“We are now working towards Anti Bullying week starting 15th November with our ongoing campaign Give us a Break! Both Aston and I were proud to wear our ‘Give us a Break ‘ T shirts available from Born Anxious Clothing.

“Another of our guests was one of our past Charity Autism Hero Award winners Sandro Ballestros who is going from strength to strength and after our interview was rushing off to Brands Hatch for his first Junior Saloon Car Championship. I have known Sandros for a few years and it’s been a pleasure to watch him progress under the guidance of Matty Street another of my charity Ambassadors who is the CEO of Team Karting UK. Another amazing young man and rile model for the Autism Community.

“We wish Sandro all the luck in the world!! Here is a bio on Sandro’s journey so far.”

 

‘Unleash what you ‘CAN’ do’

Sandro Ballesteros (Sandro#19) is a teenage racing driver from Rochdale Lancashire. Diagnosed with autism aged three his lifelong obsession led him to try karting aged just five years old. Starting indoors at Daytona Manchester, he moved to outdoor kart racing a year later hiring a bambino kart for his first ever race. He crossed the line his first final in 6th place from a grid of sixteen on a damp track and was awarded driver of the day. He then went on to complete that season in his first kart and went on to finish 2nd in his first competitive season.

The next year aged seven, he went on to win his first championship in dominant fashion taking 12 podium finishes. This triumph coincided with the opening of a new indoor karting venue Teamkarting just 400yds from his home. One of their first customers he quickly became a regular visitor and struck up a relationship with the owners, and the publicity helped to promote their successful launch. This relationship is still going from strength to strength with Sandro calling his mentor and friend Matty Street his ‘Big Bro’.

Aged eight and moving up from bambino karts to Honda cadets he enjoyed success at various club championship, and also raced in two Kartmasters Grand Prix held at the prestigious Paul Fletcher International circuit where he also raced in the 200cc Extreme class, racking up four podium finishes. Sandro ended his three years of cadet racing on a tight budget in the very competetive Northern Kart Federation series at different circuits around the country, starting every final in the top ten.

Off track he uses his racing to raise autism awareness with his Able Racing project for which he has received two awards, the Anna Kennedy OBE Autism Hero Award, and the Downforce National Autism Society award. In 2017 he was also recipient of a custom painted helmet from Racing with Autism based in Canada, who he assisted on their UK tour. With his partners at Teamkarting, JPC Community Farm, and Teesside Karting he has been involved with numerous disability friendly, inclusive karting sessions, and has inspired and helped numerous others to get started in karting, many of whom are also on the autism spectrum. Inspired by Austin Riley of Racing with Autism, Sandro has also spoken at primary schools with his own autism presentation

and as a result he was invited to speak at an autism conference with an audience of 120 guests including teachers and professionals.

In karting, he is now racing in Junior Rotax and Junior Prokart classes in both sprint and team endurance racing, and also signed with the X-Kart Team. He has recently raced a 24hr race with the TeamBRIT Racing with autism kart team. He also does simulator racing as a member of the eTeamBRIT esports team, and competed online in the Daytona 24hr as part of Racing with Autism international drivers Austin Riley (Radical), Armani Williams (NASCAR), and TeamBRIT star driver Bobby Trundley.

“Sandros’ success both on and off the track have lead to numerous appearances in the press, radio and TV interviews, (links can be found here (MEDIA page). Now aged 14 Sandro has just had his first taste of a racecar and is putting his blood, sweat, and gears into his plan to race in a junior championship. You can keep up with Sandro#19’s progress here and also on social media via………Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

“Aston and I will be back in December for our Christmas show. Take care every one and keep safe.” 

 All things autism in Essex returns in December.