A Sunday morning charity walk in support of autism awareness that was expected to attract between 200 and 300 participants is heading for double that number after being highlighted in .

And the Bermuda national cricket team is thought to be among those likely to show up for the 5 kilometre stroll from the Botanical Gardens this weekend.

Others who would like to join the main walk, or a shorter 3km family walk, through the gardens are encouraged to turn up on the morning.

The response so-far has taken organisers by surprise and they have been touched to offers of support from across the community following a front-page story in the that told the personal stories of three families on the Island coping with children who have autism or autism-type conditions.

Tricia Crow, founder of the Bermuda Autism Support and Education Society (BASE), said: ?Originally we hoped for 200 or 300 people but now we are expecting 500 or 600 on the day. It is going to be very busy.

?Having the story on the front page and the whole personal attachment thing has brought all these people out to support us. Many of them did not realise it costs so much for the therapy.?

One of those whose story was featured in last month?s article was Mount Saint Agnes Academy teacher Brian Purvey, whose son Tristen has autism that means he has virtually no concept that Mr. Harvey is his father.

Mr. Harvey and his wife Jenny are paying thousands of dollars each month to pay for private therapy for their two-and-a-half year old son in the hope that he can improve his communication and recognition skills.

But there are many other families on the Island who are unable to afford such therapies and that is why BASE was set up to offer a support network and a way for families to club together and share the expense of attracting autism specialists to visit Bermuda.

Among those expected to take part are rock climbers from The Olympic Club and a large number of children from the Mount Saint Agnes Academy.

?We have had a lot of e-mails and phone calls. The article generated a lot of interest,? said Mrs. Crow. ?If people wake up on Sunday and fancy a walk we hope they will come along and support us and join in.?

A number of walkers are using the event as training for next year?s End to End walk.

BGA Wholesalers and John Barritt & Sons have donated water and refreshments for the day.

The Unlocking Autism Walk, which sets off from near the Botanical Gardens visitor centre off Berry Hill Road, is a turn-up and pay affair and the cost is $10 per adults, $5 for under 12s, while youngsters who are being pushed along in strollers are free. Registration is from 9 a.m. and the 5km walk sets off at 10 a.m. with the 3km family walk 15 minutes later.

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For further information about the walk, or call 293 5333 or 747 0083 or e-mail basebdayahoo.com