FOUNDATION DONS ODD SOCKS FOR WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY

Sunderland AFC’s official charity, the Foundation of Light, is backing World Down Syndrome Day to highlight its work with children, young people and adults with Down’s Syndrome across the North East. In 2011, through the Foundation’s work, Sunderland AFC became the first football club in the region to develop an initiative to provide sporting opportunities and support to people of all ages with the genetic condition. Part of the award-winning ScS Making Moves programme, DS Active delivers weekly dance, multi-sport, sensory play and football sessions as well as providing a range of courses during the school holidays. In 2019/20 alone the Foundation worked with 2,065 children, young people and adults to help them grow as individuals and support them to become more influential parts of the community.

Many people feel that because they have a disability, they are excluded from doing or trying new things.  Here at the Foundation of Light, we offer something for everyone and encourage anyone to get in touch if they want to try new sport or make new friends.

Kevin Darke, Foundation of Light’s Inclusion Coordinator

As part of World Down Syndrome Awareness Week, World Down Syndrome Day sees people across the globe wear brightly-coloured odd socks, as a nod to human chromosomes resembling socks and people with Down’s Syndrome having an extra chromosome. To show their support for the fantastic cause, young people in the Foundation’s Premier League Kicks programme pulled on brightly coloured socks and took part in a range of activities to learn more about the condition.