As Chair of the Board of Trustees at Ups and Downs Southwest, I have seen first hand the extraordinary impact this charity has on children and young people with Down syndrome across the Southwest. My own family has experienced that support personally over the past four years - from help navigating an Education, Health and Care Plan application and Tribunal to supporting our son Jack's transition from primary to secondary school.

Now, as a family, we want to give something back by taking on a personal challenge: “1K for 1K” — covering 1,000 km between 21 May and 21 June 2026 (walking, running, rowing and cycling). Through this challenge, we hope to raise £1,000 to help protect the specialist Speech and Language Therapy service at Ups and Downs Southwest. Without urgent funding by the end of June, this vital service risks closure.

For children with Down syndrome, communication is often one of the biggest barriers they face — affecting learning, confidence, friendships and independence. The specialist Speech and Language Therapy service provides targeted support from therapists who understand the communication profile associated with Down syndrome, helping children develop the skills they need to express themselves and engage with the world around them. For many families, this support is simply not available anywhere else.

Every donation, no matter the size, will help keep this service running and ensure more children can continue to find their voice, build confidence and reach their full potential.

Thank you so much for your support!