WASHING lines all over the area will have silly socks in the mix after the weekend event to raise awareness of autism.

Runners were told to wear silly socks for Colchester Castle Parkrun’s ninth birthday in support of World Autism Awareness Day.

Autism Anglia hosted the event with Great Bentley Running Club by getting participants wearing their most funky socks for the five kilometre run.

In total, 244 people took part in the event wearing socks of all colours and patterns and not many of them matching.

Emma Levett-Welham, the manager of outreach services at Autism Anglia, who helped to organise the event, said: “It was a good turnout considering the weather. It was happy and friendly.

“I was happy with the amount of people that were wearing silly socks.

“It meant a lot to people at the charity.”

She added: “People were very generous with their donations and apart from that, part of what we got from the day was people talking about autism.

“I feel proud and am passionate in the charity and what we do.

“Being a part of the community brings amazing awareness and acceptance of autism and promotes physical wellbeing.

“Jack, a boy who is supported by the charity, did his first parkrun and he’s now thinking about doing it again as the event pushed him to do it and not feel scared.”