Sign up for the Longford Westmeath Down Syndrome 63km Challenge

Anyone is welcome to sign up for the Longford Westmeath Down Syndrome 63km Challenge, next month.

The event is a fundraiser for the local branch, whose “aim is that every person with Down Syndrome will reach their full potential, fulfil their personal goals, and that they are treated with the same dignity and respect as all citizens of the state”.

Linda Fitzpatrick, branch secretary, Longford Westmeath Down Syndrome, said: “We as a branch advocate on a local and national level for people with Down Syndrome to ensure equal rights, education, training and inclusiveness.

“We provide therapies such as phyiso, speech and language and occupational therapy together with social activities like dance classes, speech and drama groups and music therapy and life skills such as cookery lessons and social farming.”

World Down Syndrome Day is March 21 every year; a global awareness day which has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012.

The date, the 21st day of the third month, was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome, which results in a person being born with Down Syndrome.

To mark the day Longford Westmeath Down Syndrome run a challenge over the month of March.

The idea of the challenge is to walk, run, swim or cycle 63km over the month. The reason for 63km is Down Syndrome happens when chromosome 21 is triplicated so 21 x 3 = 63km.

Ms Fitzpatrick said: “Our branch, as a parent-led group, receive no funding whatsoever and the only way we can offer the services and therapies to our members is through local fundraising.

“If anyone would like to join on the challenge they can contact us by the following means or see all the details and registration links on Facebook or Instagram.”

Email lwbdsi@gmail.com

Text or WhatsApp: 086 -1687337 (Linda); 087 - 9504949 (John)

Facebook Longford Westmeath Down Syndrome

Instagram downsyndromeld_wh