Together 21 achieve regional support for World Down Syndrome Day campaign

To celebrate World Down Syndrome Day, Together 21 launched its annual ‘Rock Your Socks’ campaign, raising over £2500 to support local children and young people with Down syndrome. The Rock Your Socks campaign encourages everyone to wear brightly coloured odd socks, to raise awareness and celebrate the uniqueness of individuals with Down syndrome.

Together 21 is a specialist service supporting the education, development, and inclusion of children and young people with Down syndrome from birth to 18 years old. This service is proudly delivered by health and wellbeing charity, Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) at the Pioneering Care Centre, in Newton Aycliffe.

Gayle Goldsmith, Project Development Manager at PCP, said: “We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all who supported the campaign this year. Being funded by donations and fundraising, Together 21 is reliant on the support of local people and communities, so that they can continue to provide specialist support and a safe space for young people with Down syndrome, and their families.

“I would like to give a special mention to Velocity FC and Swiftees, who have been phenomenal in their fundraising efforts. Velocity FC managed to raise us a grand total of over £1,300, with Swiftees raising donations equalling to £500.

“Families travel from across the region to attend Together 21 sessions. Last year, Together 21 supported 42 local children and young people through their specialist interactive sessions, and provided 122 parents, carers and siblings with over 1,600 hours of carer respite.

“Without the support from the incredible North East public, Together 21 would not be able to continue making a difference, and provide this vital support that has become so valuable to those who attend our service.”

This year, Together 21 appealed to local organisations and sports clubs, hoping to gain support and amplify the campaign’s message. Durham Football Association (Durham FA) became one of the main campaign supporters this year, encouraging local football clubs to rock their socks, and help Together 21 raise vital funds to ensure the service can continue supporting families from across the North East.

Durham FA is dedicated to creating a safe, inclusive, and accessible environment for all people. They work to ensure that everyone involved in football has a great experience, regardless of ability or disability, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, faith, or age. The FA and County FAs are committed to enshrining equality, diversity, and inclusion in their day-to day operations improving the experience of all. They demonstrated this by the incredible support shown to Together 21 throughout this campaign.

Speaking on their involvement, John Topping, Durham Football Association CEO, said: “The Durham County FA are delighted to have been involved in the campaign which is in aid of Together 21 and highlights the service they provide that supports children and young people with Down syndrome. It was great to see so many of our affiliated teams take part in the day.”

The campaign gained further traction this year when local regional landmarks decided to join in, lighting up blue and yellow on World Down Syndrome Day on Saturday 21 March.

Participating landmarks included the likes of Durham Cathedral, Penshaw Monument, Silksworth Pit Wheel and Fulwell Windmill. Together 21's Rock Your Socks campaign takes place every year, throughout the month of March. While this year’s campaign has now wrapped up, the need for support continues all year around.

To learn more about how you can get involved or make a difference, contact the team at together21@pcp.uk.net.

Together 21 would like to say a huge thank you to all who took part in our campaign this year, including the following:

• Durham FA

• Velocity FC

• Billingham Juniors FC

• Central Surgery South Shields

• Hiyed CIC

• Wearside FC

• Whickham Fellside Youth FC

• Willington Youth Blues

• Swift-Tees pacers

• Bishop Auckland Girls FC U9s

• Hebburn Town Juniors FC

• Whiteleas Vipers, Cobras and Wolves

• Dunston UTS FC Juniors

• Tesco Newton Aycliffe

• DMA Law

• 12th Darlington Beavers

• Ferryhill Town Band

• Darlington Library

• Cockerton Library

• Costa Coffee Darlington

• Coundon and Leeholme U14s

• Rutherford AFC Lobley Hill

• ESPA 8 The Cedars and Coach House

• Sunderland City Council Community Therapy Team

• Shildon AFC and Shildon Youth

• St John the Baptist Primary

• Walworth Primary School

• Washington Athletic FC Girls

• Springwell Blacks FC

• Pools Youth

• Skelton Castle U11s

• The Grey Bull, Stanhope

• Durham Cathedral

• Penshaw Monument

• Silksworth Pit Wheel

• Fulwell Windmill