A Cheshire charity that supports more than 150 children with Down’s syndrome and their families is celebrating after scooping three gongs at the North West Charity Awards
Cheshire Down’s Syndrome Support Group was named as rising star in the Small Charity, Big Impact category and won Young Charity Ambassador of the Year and Best Fundraising Campaign for 13 year old Emma Harris and her dad Chris’ gingerbread socks awareness day campaign which was launched in 2016 and has since raised over £20,000 for the group.
Winners of the North West Charity Awards were announced at a ceremony at Manchester’s Principal hotel on Friday 12th October. The awards aim to provide charities and not-for-profit organisations in the region with an opportunity to be recognised for their outstanding contributions to their communities.
Cheshire Down’s Syndrome Support Group was founded in 2007 by a small group of Cheshire mums who all had babies with Down’s syndrome. The charity has since grown to offer peer support, makaton training, advice and advocacy to the wider Cheshire community as well as raising awareness of the learning disability.
More than 40,000 gingerbread sock biscuits have been produced by Roberts bakery and sold in the community on World Down Syndrome day to raise awareness. As well as raising funds the initiative has reached more than 10,000 Cheshire school children to teach them about Down’s syndrome.
CEO of Cheshire Down’s syndrome support Group, Julie Duff comments,
“We were delighted to even be shortlisted for these awards so to come away with three is wonderful for our small charity. Emma and Chris Harris are inspirational ambassadors. We thank them and all our members, staff, volunteers and supporters for everything they do. These awards are a real boost and will give us momentum to keep growing the charity to help even more people with Down’s syndrome by offering additional services and by raising even more awareness.”
Cheshire Down’s syndrome Support Group is holding a festive shopping and beauty Ladies’ evening event at Abbeywood in Delamere on 8th November to raise funds. Tickets are £7.50 and can be purchased from the charity website www.cheshiredownssyndrome.com.
If anyone would like to access the charity services or more information please email [email protected] or see our website www.cheshiredownssyndrome.com.
