South Woodford autism campaigner Ivan Corea wants people in Redbridge to take to Twitter on April 2 to support a United Nations initiative.

Mr Corea, whose son Charin, 16, has the lifelong developmental disability, is calling for tweets of support on the organisation’s World Autism Awareness Day.

He said: “You may not have a personal connection with someone with autism - but if you have a twitter account please show your support by tweeting for autism using the hashtag #worldautismday.

“There are over 500,000 people with autism in the UK and 67 million people with autism around the world.”

Mr Corea runs the UK Autism Foundation in George Lane, South Woodford, and held his own Twitter Storm in February to mark the annual event he set up – Autism Sunday.

The foundation awarded �500 to STAAR - Supporting Those with Autism and Aspergers in Redbridge - earlier this month to provide after-school clubs for people with autism.

Mr Corea said: “They are the unsung heroes of Redbridge and they deserve greater support and recognition in the borough.”