TO RAISE FUNDS FOR SCHOOLCHILDREN WITH DOWN SYNDROME

Intrepid Ella Hands is set to lead a team of volunteers to the top of Snowdon later this month to raise funds to help students with Down syndrome.

The plucky 10-year-old, who was born with the genetic condition, will join friends from Coleshill-based logistics, transport and shipping specialist LTS Global Solutions to raise funds to help secondary school pupils with Down syndrome in the classroom.

Accompanied by parents Dave and Rachel Hands – who are the Managing Director and Head of HR and Communications at LTS Global Solutions – the family will be among a 15-strong team taking part in the challenge.

All funds raised will be put towards a fundraising campaign spearheaded by Dave and Rachel to help secondary school children with Down syndrome to receive the best possible education for a bright and successful future.

So far the Snowdon team members have raised over £1100 in pledges, every penny of which will be put towards the £40,000 appeal which will fund the development of a Secondary Education Programme to give schools all the resources and expertise needed to help students with Down syndrome thrive in the classroom.

Dave said: “Ella has absolutely thrived throughout her primary school years, and we were looking forward to replicating her success in the classroom in secondary school.

“But we met with a number of schools, none of which had the same level of experience or expertise in helping children with Down syndrome to perform at their very best.

“So we are working closely with national parent-led charity Down Syndrome UK to ensure that every secondary school pupil in the country is given the very best start and allowed the same opportunities as their counterparts in the classroom by equipping all schools with training, resources and ongoing support in subjects such as numeracy, literacy, communication and social interaction, to ensure all teaching staff are equipped with the right skills to work with children with Down syndrome in their care.”

The programme is being devised by Becky Baxter, a speech and language therapist with almost two decades of experience in working with children with Down syndrome. A similar programme devised by Becky for early years and primary teaching and support staff on behalf of Down Syndrome UK has been a huge success.

Altogether Dave and Rachel Hands are hoping their various fundraising efforts over the coming months will raise the £40,000 needed to get the programme off the ground. Launched just four months ago their fundraising appeal has so far raised £17,000.

The Snowdon climb will take place on August 30^th.

To help the LTS team and family raise funds for the programme visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/ltsglobalsolutionssecondaryeducation

ENDS