Kuala lumpur: Yayasan Pengaman Malaysia, in collaboration with the British Graduate Association of Malaysia (BGAM), has launched a charity initiative called the 'Charity Drive to Phuket' to raise public awareness and funds in support of educational programmes for children with autism.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the seven-day convoy, which began today, features 32 participants travelling in eight vehicles bound for Phuket, Thailand. Along the journey, the team will also stop to visit several autism-related institutions in Perak and Perlis, underscoring their commitment to understanding and supporting the needs of children on the spectrum.

Yayasan Pengaman Malaysia deputy chairman Tan Sri Hussin Ismail noted the significance of the visit to Perlis, as the institutions there provide Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) for autistic students aged 15 to 21, along with professional training to prepare them for the future.

He emphasized that these efforts aim to help autistic youth become more independent, generate their own income, and integrate successfully into the community. 'This collaboration is hoped to rally greater community support and encourage more parties to come forward to contribute towards meeting the needs of autistic children,' he remarked to reporters after the convoy's flag-off ceremony at the Kuala Lumpur Police Training Centre (PULAPOL), which was also attended by Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) Air Operations Force commander Datuk Noor Sham Md Jani and BGAM president Datuk Kamarudin Md Ali.

Meanwhile, Kamarudin highlighted that the convoy also serves as a platform to reintroduce the BGAM-Tun Hanif Omar Education Fund, in honour of the former BGAM president.