Run 'change' function from another element

I have a function that runs when a checkbox is changed (works fine):

// event management
$("input.box[type=checkbox]").change(function() {
    var name = $(this).attr("name");
    $("input:checkbox[name='$name']").attr("checked", true);
    $.cookie(name, $(this).prop('checked'), {
        path: '/',
        expires: 365
    });
});

<input id="<?php echo the_ID();?>" type="checkbox" name="<?php echo the_ID();?>">

I also want to be able to change the state of the checkbox from another button:

<a onclick="$('#<?php echo the_ID();?>').attr('checked', true);">test</a>

This does change the checkbox but does not run the change function.

Any ideas? Thanks