Mayor Graham Warke announces Foyle Down Syndrome Trust as his chosen charity
The Trust aims to empower children and young people with Down syndrome to lead full, meaningful and productive lives to help reach their full potential, ensuring they take their rightful place in the community.
Mayor Warke was joined by members and families from the organisation in the Guildhall’s Main Hall for the official announcement.
“I am delighted and proud to work with Foyle Down Syndrome Trust during my year in office where I hope we can raise awareness and funds for the crucial role they play in the community,” he said.
“They are a unique and user led organisation embedded in the local community, supporting and empowering children and young people with Down syndrome in fulfilling their potential and living life to the full.
“Their members and their families are at the heart of everything they do, fostering a culture of inclusion and meeting their needs educationally, socially and emotionally.”
The Mayor will host a number of fund raising events throughout the year to highlight the work of the Trust and raise funds to allow them to progress the organisation.
Among the engagements planned are a Family Fun Day and Christmas Choral Festival as well as a number of sponsored challenges in partnership with Council’s Everybody Active Teams.
Mayor Warke urged the public to make a conscious effort to get involved in the initiatives through the year.
“The restrictions to limit the spread of Covid 19 have reduced the capacity for the Trust to host fund raising events so I would appreciate if the public can make a particular effort to support any events we hold this year,” he added.
“There are some really exciting and innovate initiatives planned which I’m looking forward to getting involved in.”
Foyle Down Syndrome Trust Manager, Christopher Cooper added: “We are delighted and honoured to be chosen as the Mayoral Charity for Mayor Warke’s term in office.
“With the very tough and challenging year we have all faced it is a very welcome boost to the Charity.
“This will enable us to continue to enhance and improve the services and opportunities we afford our children and young people.
“We are looking forward to working with Mayor Warke, raising awareness of Down syndrome and showcasing the incredible range of talent and abilities of our members.”
Foyle Down Syndrome Trust was established in 1995 by local parents who believed that more could and should be done to support, nurture and empower children with Down syndrome.
They now offer a vast range of needs led services which include One to One Education, Music Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Health and Wellbeing, Outdoor Learning, Mentoring and a Social Enterprise printing company called Down Right Crafty.
A link to donate to the Foyle Down Syndrome Trust is available at derrystrabane.com/mayor
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