The Beacon Trust

The work and determination of Kate McVeigh has resulted in the establishment of the Impact Trust and the Impact Centre for Learning and Development, which is committed to helping transform the lives of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Kate is one of the 16 recipients of the 2005/6 Beacon Prize, who were chosen for their exceptional philanthropic contribution through the giving of their time, money and skills in order to benefit specific charitable causes and who join the ranks of previous winners such as Sir Bob Geldof, Jamie Oliver and environmentalist, Zac Goldsmith, all of whom have all been recognised for their charitable work through what has become known as the 'Nobel Prize of the charity world', first coined by Chancellor Gordon Brown.

Chair of the Beacon Fellowship Charitable Trust, Martyn Lewis notes: "Kate is an example of how just one person, touched by tragedy can grow through determination and experience, to become a source of support and advice to hundreds and possibly thousands of people who share a similar life changing experience. The reassurance and knowledge Kate has passed on to so many families through the Impact Trust has enabled countless children with Autism to develop and grow in a way most parents would never have dreamed. Kate has vastly raised awareness in Northern Ireland where there is now a far wider understanding of the challenges of Autism".

Kate is especially commended for the creation of the Impact Centre for Learning and Development, which is devoted to helping transform the lives of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and for the introduction to Northern Ireland of the little known Applied Behaviour Analysis, a scientifically-proven intervention, which has improved the lives of many children and young people with Autism.

www.beaconfellowship.org.uk