Additional needs group walk the walk to raise awareness of Down's syndrome

Article date: 25 March 2022

Starting from St Helens Borough Council-run Queens Park Health & Fitness on Boundary Road, the 30-strong team basked in the glorious spring sunshine as they embarked on the one-mile walk - with banners in tow - for Mencap, a UK charity for people with learning disabilities.

The event follows on from a successful reverse triathlon at Queens Park last November which raised more than £200 for Mencap.

Cheered on by supporters, including pupils from Eaves Primary School and passers-by, the group - who attend weekly sessions at the leisure centre where they enjoy activities such as swimming and arts and crafts - stopped off in Church Street to view St Helens Coalition of Disabled People's art exhibition around Mencap's 'Rock Your Socks' campaign.

To mark World Down's Syndrome Day, which was celebrated earlier this week, 'Rock Your Socks' highlights the fact that people living with the condition have an extra chromosome, which looks a bit like colourful socks. 

The group went onto finish their walk at St Helens Town Hall, with some members of the team deciding to complete the challenge in style, recreating the famous training scene in the Rocky film by running up the town hall steps - much to the delight of the crowd of supporters.

Liam, who was among those to take part in the fundraiser, said: "From children to adults, Down's syndrome can affect anyone, and we want to raise awareness of that, and that's it's okay to be different.

"It's been great to spend time with the group. Everyone seems to have had a good day which has been helped by the lovely weather."

Jim Flatley, Sports Centre Manager at Queens Park Health & Fitness, said: "We've got valued members of our weekly group for adults with disabilities that have Down's syndrome, so it's been nice to get out and support such a worthy cause.

"The atmosphere was brilliant which was certainly helped by the weather and special credit deserves to go to the staff, particularly Darren, Courtney and Neil, who run the group and help come up with these challenges to raise awareness and funds for a cause close to our hearts."

Vanessa Middleton, Mencap Area Fundraising Manager for the North of England, was invited down from Sunderland to support the event. 

"It's fantastic to see the different groups across the community come together and doing something collectively for Mencap," Vanessa said.

"The group did a fantastic job last year with the reverse triathlon which I sadly couldn't attend so I was delighted to be able to make this one. Well done to everyone that participated and on behalf of the charity, I'd like to thank them for choosing to support Mencap's vision of making the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives."

 An online page has also been set up for anyone wishing to donate which can be done by visiting: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/rysformencap

Group activities for adults with additional needs take place at the recently refurbished, state-of-the-art Newton-le-Willows Health and Fitness every Wednesday between 9.00am - 2.00pm and every Thursday at Queens Park Health & Fitness between 9.00am - 2.30pm, priced at £9.90 per session.

For more information on how to get involved, contact Courtney Dodson by emailing courtneydodson@sthelens.gov.uk or calling 01744 671717.