East Lancs Down's Syndrome Support Group Annual Sponsored Walk
Rachel Shatliff is raising money for Down's Syndrome Association
“Rachel Shatliff's fundraising”
on 15 April 2010
Story
After the great success of last year's walk, where between the 100 walkers, we raised £20k!, we have decided to make this an annual event. Same day - 5th June, at the same place (see poster). Even better, we now have a local support group behind us. Please see below for all the reasons we did this last year - they still apply!
Thanks again for your fantastic support!
2010 - "40 years ago, in Feb 1970 an amazing thing happened - the Down's Syndrome
Association was founded. By too great a coincidence for me not to mark it,
I happened to be born in the same month.
36 years later, we were blessed with Lucas, who has Down's Syndrome and is
a daily delight (as are our other 2, Hannah and Robert of course!).
If he had been born 40 years ago, he would have had a very short life
expectancy and would probably have been institutionalised, or at least
faced huge prejudice. Now, thanks to the work of the DSA, he has many
opportunities ahead of him, including attending mainstream school in
September.
Great progress has been made, but there is still a significant lack of
awareness and understanding about Down's Syndrome. This means that each
family (1 to 2 per day in the UK) facing the birth of their child with
Down's Syndrome, are likely to be much more challenged than they need be.
The DSA works, amongst many other things, to improve parental support and
education and I intend to raise funds to support this vital issue.
The DSA are planning to hold at least 40 walks across the country on 5th
June. We are holding one in the beautiful countryside of Rossendale and
would be delighted if you could join us (we want at least 40 walkers) or if
you can't make it please do support us financially."
Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Rachel