An autism charity based in Muswell Hill celebrated a double win this week as it was awarded £80,000 on a television show and Arsenal football stars pledged to donate a day's wages.

TreeHouse, in Woodside Avenue, is the national charity for autism education which runs a school for children and young people.

Representatives from the charity appeared on The People's Millions on Thursday night and asked for money to support its Landscape for Learning project, to transform land around the centre into an outdoor educational space .

TreeHouse won the Big Lottery money over homeless charity Centrepoint after thousands of viewers called in to decide who should get it.

Claire Knapton James, fundraising manager, said: "The grant will not only enrich the education that our own pupils receive at TreeHouse, but also help develop existing partnerships with school and community groups.

"It will create opportunities for children to learn more about the natural world and to encourage understanding in how we can all help protect our environment for the future."

Arsenal players also promised this week to donate their wages from a match against Chelsea on December 16 to TreeHouse - the club's charity of the season.

The Be a Gooner, Be a Giver day aims to raise £250,000 towards a new TreeHouse sports facility.

The club's directors, staff and supporters will donate money towards the project which will cost £350,000 in total.

Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger said: "The work of TreeHouse is absolutely amazing. I have seen the dedication these people show in helping kids with autism improve their lives and the lives of their families.

"The Arsenal family is a large one, and if everyone pledges something, I am confident we will reach our £250,000 target needed to help provide them with a permanent sports facility."

Captain William Gallas said: "We are all getting involved in the Be a Gooner, Be a Giver campaign because we don't want to just talk about helping TreeHouse, we want to make a real difference.

"I hope fans can also make a small donation so it will be a real team effort."