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Welsh vicar honored for helping people with autism

A Welsh vicar has won a lifetime achievement award for raising awareness of autism.

Revd Dr John Gillibrand, vicar of Llangeler, near Llandysul, is the first winner of the Autism Heroes Lifetime Achievement Award at Holly's Ball.

He was praised for the dedication and commitment he has shown to the condition since his son Adam, now a teenager, was diagnosed with it.

Over the past two decades Revd Gillibrand and his wife Gill have been staunch supporters and advocates for people with autism and their families.

In 2003, he set up the Cross Party Autism Group in the National Assembly of Wales and last month his book, "Disabled Church, Disabled Society: The Implications of Autism for Philosophy, Theology and Politics" was shortlisted for the 2013 Michael Ramsey Prize for Theological Writing.

Announcing the award, Jo Salmon, Holly's Ball Founder, said, "As a parent of a child with autism, John is an inspiration.

"He's worked so hard to raise autism awareness in Wales and on a political level. He's paved the way for other parents to follow.

"We are so honoured to be awarding John with the very first Autism Heroes Lifetime Achievement.

"It's so well deserved for his dedication and commitment to the cause of autism while facing the struggles that many of us face as parents or carers."

Revd Gillibrand told Premier's Des Busteed during the News Hour he knew he had to do something to help other families as well:

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