Vodafone UK has launched a new handset recycling campaign to raise funds to help over 535,000 people with autism in UK through the company's partnership with The National Autistic Society (NAS). 

Over 55 million people in the UK own a mobile phone and communication has never been easier - but people with autism find communication difficult to the extent that this lifelong disability can be very debilitating.

By disposing of old mobile phones and equipment through Vodafone's recycling scheme, you will be directly helping people with autism through The National Autistic Society (NAS), the UK's leading charity for people with autism and their families and carers. The NAS will receive all the proceeds from every mobile phone recycled to expand the reach of existing programmes for people with autism and their families and help raise awareness of autism.

Anyone wishing to recycle any mobile phones or mobile phone equipments can by:

• Taking it to your nearest Vodafone store and place it in the recycling units in store.
• Putting it in an envelope and post it to FREEPOST, Fonebak Recycling.
• All new and upgrading Vodafone customers will receive recycling envelopes and instructions with all new mobile phone packs.

Martin Tod, Vodafone's Head of Brand and Marketing, said "Over half a million people have a form of autism in the UK - that's about 1 in 110 people. We estimate that a further two million parents, carers and siblings are directly affected by this lifelong communication disability. We are helping the NAS in their work to raise awareness and support for people with autism and through this new scheme, it is easy for you to get involved."

In April 2004 Vodafone UK entered into a three year 'cause partnership' with the NAS. The mobile phone company hopes to raise over £6 million for the charity during that period.

To find out more about Fonebak and Vodafone's partnership with the NAS, please visit the Vodafone website at www.vodafone.co.uk/autism or your nearest Vodafone Store.

For further information contact:

Ally Stevens
At The Vodafone UK PR Office
E-mail: press.office@vodafone.com
For media enquiries, please call 07000 500 100
For general enquiries, please call 01635 33251

NOTES TO EDITORS:

All phones collected by Vodafone are processed by Fonebak plc (www.fonebak.com), the leader in environmental management for the telecoms sector and winner of the Business in the Community Award (BITC) for Environmental Excellence.

The National Autistic Society is a registered charity. Number 269425.

THE NATIONAL AUTISTIC SOCIETY (NAS)

Autism (including Asperger syndrome) is a lifelong developmental disability.  It is a spectrum condition occurring in varying degrees of severity.  Around 535,000 people have autism in the UK today and over 2 million people are affected by the disability.  It is characterised by a triad of impairments: difficulties forming social relationships, problems with verbal and non-verbal communication and the development of strong narrow obsessional interests.

The National Autistic Society is the UK's leading charity for people with autistic spectrum disorders and their families.  Founded in 1962, it continues to spearhead national and international initiatives and provide a strong voice for all people with autism. The NAS provides a wide range of services to help people with autism and Asperger syndrome live their lives with as much independence as possible.

The NAS relies on the support of its members and donors to continue its vital work for people with autism. To become a member, make a donation or to find out more about the work of the NAS, visit the NAS website www.autism.org.uk or call the NAS donation line 08702 33 40 40, (national rates apply).

For more information about autism and for help in your area, call the NAS Autism Helpline supported by Barclays: 0845 070 4004 10am-4pm, Monday to Friday, (local rates apply).