In the month leading up to 21st March (World Down Syndrome Day) Annalee Morris and Michelle Ogden will be cycling (on exercise/spin bikes) a total of 213 km each to raise money for FrienDS.

EDIT: As we had given ourselves until 21st March to complete the challenge but finished a week earlier we have decided not to stop at 213km but keep going to 321km, finishing the last 21.3km on World Down Syndrome Day.

FrienDS is a local group run by mums (including Michelle and Annalee), based in Wrexham, which provides support for about 30 families of children with Down’s syndrome. We fund training events for school staff, parents and professionals on topics such as Speech and Language, Numeracy and Literacy, and Behaviour and Social Skills. We also fund parties and get-togethers throughout the year for all family members to attend. We have no income other than the money we raise ourselves. £350 will pay for one half day training course from a specialist in Down's syndrome, and we try to put on a couple of these each year, so any amount that people can donate, however small, will be appreciated so much.

Why 213 km? The most common type of Down’s syndrome is Trisomy 21. This occurs when an individual has 3 copies of chromosome 21 instead of 2. It is also why World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated on the 21st March every year.

This is a huge challenge for both of us so all support will be very gratefully received! Thank you.