World Down Syndrome Day

JOIN US IN CELEBRATING DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS WEEK 16^th - 22^th March

 

Down Syndrome Awareness week takes place on 16^th-22^nd March 2020 and incorporates World Down Syndrome Day on Saturday 21^st March.

We would really appreciate it if your organisation, business, college, school or nursery would join us, to take part in this year’s celebration to raise awareness of Down syndrome and raise vital funds for your local charity Downright Special.

There are so many ways you can get involved to help raise money and awareness, including:

• Lots of Socks – You could wear your brightest odd socks for the day and make a donation to do so. Why not encourage your family, friends and colleagues, or even your child’s school or nursery to do the same?  For further information on the ‘Lots of Socks’ campaign visit: https://www.worlddownsyndromeday2.org
• Hold a coffee morning or bake sale at your workplace, local community centre or even your home in return for donations. We all love a coffee and a good chat over a slice of cake!
• Can your workplace or local shops host a collection tin for Downright Special? Every penny helps towards continuing our work.
• Create a Facebook Fundraiser :  https://www.facebook.com/fund/DownrightSpecialNetwork/
• How about taking on a personal fundraising challenge? You could take part in a Half Marathon, Fun Run, Tough Mudder or even a Skydive. https://www.skydivegb.com/charity/downright-special/

To download the Down Syndrome Awareness Week Fundraising pack, download the pack here.

This year the Down Syndrome Association’s Awareness week theme is #WeDecide, raising awareness that all people with Down’s Syndrome should have full participation in decision making about matters relating to, or affecting, their lives.

 

Lots of Socks?

Each year on the 21st of March we celebrate World Down Syndrome Day. People with Down syndrome have an extra chromosome (they have 3 copies of chromosome 21 - hence 21/3, 21st March!) and to support World Down Syndrome day the "Lots of Socks" fundraising campaign is a worldwide campaign run by Down Syndrome International.

Why Lots of Socks?

This is a picture of chromosomes which some say look a little bit like pairs of socks.  Sometimes people have an extra ‘sock’ or chromosome and a person with Down syndrome has an extra copy of chromosome 21 as you can see in the picture. That’s ok – it just means that some things a little harder for them.  They are a little different but different is ok. People with Down syndrome learn, laugh, love, live and, just like the rest of us, sometimes also get cross, sad, dislike things, get uncomfortable being stared at and just want to join in with everyone else.  Where children with Down syndrome and other disabilities are given opportunities to join in, all children benefit from this and environments of friendship, acceptance, respect for everyone and high expectations are created.

Inclusive environments also help to prepare all today’s children for life as tomorrow’s adults, enabling adults with Down syndrome to live, work and join-in, with confidence and independence, fully included in society alongside their friends and peers.