St Kilda Football Club is encouraging everyone to #HoodieUp on Friday 30 April to show support and celebrate autistic people.

Now in its third year, the #HoodieUp campaign was created by Amaze – Victoria’s peak body for autistic people and their supporters.

The #HoodieUp campaign runs throughout April as part of World Autism Acceptance Month, with funds raised going toward Amaze’s work delivering support to autistic people and their families, while creating a more autistic friendly society.

“Many autistic people experience sensory sensitivities (to light, sounds, odours, textures) and can be overloaded by stimuli in their environment.  Some autistic people find relief from too much stimuli by wearing their hood up to block out light and sound in busy environments, to create some calm around them,” Fiona Sharkie CEO of Amaze said.

“#HoodieUp aims to improve understanding, engagement and acceptance of autism, with research showing that while 98% of Australians have heard of autism, only 29% say they would know how to support an autistic person.”

We are proud to be able to support Amaze in their #HoodieUp campaign and encourage everyone to put their hoodies up to demonstrate support, acceptance, and respect for autistic people.

- Calzak Brown

Having led the way in autism awareness and accessibility in the AFL, Executive General Manager for Marketing and Community Engagement Calzak Bowen said the Saints were proud to support the campaign.

“We’ve been working with Amaze for several years,” Bowen said.

“They were integral in helping us establish the first sensory room at AFL games at Marvel Stadium in 2019, as well as our Saints Play program which is tailored to the needs of those with sensory sensitivities.

“We are proud to be able to support Amaze in their #HoodieUp campaign and encourage everyone to put their hoodies up to demonstrate support, acceptance, and respect for autistic people.”

Saige Ball takes a break from kicking the footy. Photo: Corey Scicluna.

Anyone can be a part of #HoodieUp. All you have to do is:

  • Organise an event on 30 April (or any day in April) with friends or colleagues and get everyone to wear their hoodie up to show support
  • Register for a fundraising page athttps://hoodie-up.amaze.org.au/ and share with your networks
  • Share pictures of everyone with their hoodies up on social media tagging Amaze @autismvictoria using #HoodieUp
  • Registration can be done on the campaign page:https://hoodie-up.amaze.org.au/. There are also fundraising kits and posters available to help with organising a Hoodie Up event.

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