Leeds Mencap 60th anniversary events!

Posted on May 7, 2013 by HDSSG

LM Speech Bubble

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Leeds Mencap are staging two events to celebrate their 60th anniversary – a family fun day and 60km sponsored cycle ride on Saturday June 30th 2013 from 9am till 5pm

♦ FREE Cycling Family Fun Day for both cyclists and non-cyclists

Whether you’re a keen cyclist, a novice or just want to start cycling come along and join in the free sessions suitable for all ages and abilities.

There will be:
• Kids and adults bike training – boost your confidence and gain the necessary skills to ride your bike on today’s roads, suitable for children and adults of all ages!
• All ability bikes
• Bike maintenance – learn how to care for your bike to ensure it functions as efficiently as possible, helping you to stay safe and keep maintenance costs to a minimum.
• Bike hub – bring your bike down and get it checked over to make sure it is OK especially if it has been gathering dust and rust in the garage.
• Disability sport activities
• BBQ
• Children’s activities
• Face-painting

Saddle up and get involved!

All sessions are FREE.

♦ Join our sponsored cycle ride on the same day!  You can choose to take part individually completing either a 60Km or 30Km route; or you can take part in teams of four for relays of up to 15km per person. The cycle ride will begin at Leeds Mencap Family Support Centre and will take you on a picturesque perimeter route of the city.

For more information about both events visit here: http://www.leedsmencap.org.uk/get-involved/events/leeds-lets-cycle-the-city-family-fun-day

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Sensory Friendly Cinema at Odeon Huddersfield – Now Showing!

Posted on April 28, 2013 by HDSSG

Dimensions along with the Odeon Huddersfield are offering monthly ‘sensory friendly’ cinema screenings of recent releases!

What makes a screening sensory friendly?

  • The lights will be on low
  • The volume will be turned down
  • There will be no trailers at the beginning of the film
  • You’ll be able to take your own food and drinks
  • You’ll be able to move around the cinema if you like**

 **Guests are reminded not to run inside the cinema and children are to be supervised at all times.

The next screening is – Epic 2D – Sunday 19th May 11.30am

EPIC

From the makers of ‘Ice Age’ and ‘Rio’, animated fantasy ‘Epic’ tells the amazing story of a teenage girl who is transported to a magical universe to lead a decisive battle between good and evil.

The comedic adventure follows her as she assembles an army of lovable characters to join a fight that will not just decide the fate of their world, but also ours.
‘Epic’ features the voices of Amanda Seyfried (Les Misrables) and Beyonce Knowles.

 

 

Posted in Activities & Events, External events/activities, General Tagged , , , , , ,

HDSSG Dad runs for the DSA

Posted on April 22, 2013 by HDSSG

HDSSG were very proud when we heard that Huddersfield dad, Charlie Smith, was taking part in the Virgin London Marathon raising funds for the only national charity dedicated to helping people with Down Syndrome – the Down’s Syndrome Association.

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Charlie, dad to Ella, has been keeping us up to date with his training and also thoughts on Down Syndrome generally since second daughter Ella joined their family just over 12  months ago, by writing a brilliant blog.

He writes – ” Five years ago, having crossed the line in Dublin after completing my one and only marathon, my first weary words to Ruth, my wife, were ‘whatever you do, don’t ever let me do that again!.’ little did I know that, four years on, our second daughter, Eleanor, would be born with Down’s Syndrome (DS) and that, a further year later, I would start training to run 26.2 miles all over again, this time with a specific agenda: to raise money for the Down’s Syndrome Association and to highlight to the wider world that being a parent of a child with DS is nothing to be frightened of; on the contrary, it’s a wonderful, life enriching experience.”

 

CharlieOn Sunday the 21st April 2013, charlie donned his green and white DSA bib and took his place on the starting line along with around 36,000 other marathon runners in Greenwich Park. He finished the 26.2 miles in a fabulous time of  3:44:08 and has so far raised over £4300 for the DSA. Amazing.

If you want to read Charlie’s blog from the very beginning you can do so HERE.

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If you would like to donate to Charlie’s fundraising page you can find that HERE.

Huge congratulations to Charlie and his family. HDSSG are very proud.

 

 

 

Posted in Fund Raising, Members News, News Tagged , , , , , ,

15 medals & a model – more BOK swim team success

Posted on April 22, 2013 by HDSSG

 

Ruben, Joanne, Ben & Rebekah swam with the Borough of Kirklees Disability Team this weekend at the Down Syndrome European Swimming championships that took place in Southampton.

Southampton 2013

All our swimmers came away with medals.

From left to right – Rebekah took 3 golds and a bronze, Joanne won 2 golds and a silver, Ben achieved an amazing 5 golds and a silver and Ruben swam his way to 1 gold and 1 silver. A pretty impressive haul guys!!!

I bet coach Gemma was very pleased!

 

 

As you know several of our talented swimmers are representing Yorkshire & Humberside in the Special Olympics Summer Games that will take place in Bath in August.

 

Jo model

We are super thrilled and proud of Joanne Kempley who was chosen from many applicants to represent her sport by having her image used throughout the Special Olympics Summer Games, her dad took this great photo of her getting ready for her photoshoot that took place this week in London.

Jo will grace billboards, posters and promotional material in the run up to and during the Special Olympics.

HDSSG are immensely proud of all our talented swimmers. Well done to all of you, and as always special thanks to the wonderful coaches at Team BOK.

 

Posted in Members News, News Tagged , , , , , ,

Support from online ultra & trail running store

Posted on April 19, 2013 by HDSSG

 

We are thrilled that new online ultra & trail running equipment store www.ultra-runner.com are supporting Down Syndrome charities including HDSSG!

UltraRunner.com offer discounted prices on quality branded clothing and equipment for the ultra and trail running community with the idea that you can donate your savings to dedicated charities including us!

Their website says:

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“The Ultra Runner Store is an online store which is based in the North East of England. Born out of a passion for ultra running the buying is left to MONTANE® sponsored athlete Tony Holland and the online store being run by his long suffering partner Helen. The store was born out of Tony’s obsession for new running equipment and Helen’s passion for online shopping.

Tony and Helen’s other passion is raising money for various charities. In 2007 their son Jack was born with Down’s Syndrome. Soon after leaving hospital Helen and Tony got involved with Northumberland Down’s Syndrome and later Tony set up Disability Activity. It is Tony and Helen’s aim to use The Ultra Runner Store to raise awareness and at the same time raise money for various charities across the country by encouraging buyers to make small donations at the same time as purchasing their running goods.

In 2014 Tony is set to run Ultra12 to raise money for the Downs Syndrome Association and 12 regional support groups, including Huddersfield Down Syndrome Support Group, this will be achieved by him running 12 back to back 50k Ultra marathons in each region of the UK. www.ultra12.co.uk

For more information on Tony’s latest adventures and more information on him go to www.tony-holland.com”

We thank Tony & Helen for their fantastic support and wish them every success in their new business.

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Posted in Fund Raising, News, Thank You Tagged , , , , , ,

Tea With Lady Rose – a new family club for over 9′s from Shabang!

Posted on April 19, 2013 by HDSSG

For children over 9 with additional needs and their families. Shabang also offers the invitation to children on the autistic spectrum on Saturday dates. please visit Shabang’s website for more details!

 

Tea with lady Rose

Posted in Activities & Events, External events/activities Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Football Coaching for adults with additional needs in Huddersfield

Posted on April 15, 2013 by HDSSG
  • Adult coaching sessions for beginners:

Adult - Ability Counts - Beginner-page-001

 

  • Adult coaching sessions for intermediate players:

Adult - Ability Counts - Intermediate-page-001

Posted in Activities & Events, External events/activities Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

Huddersfield Town Ability Counts Programme – Football coaching opportunity for children with AN

Posted on April 15, 2013 by HDSSG

 

 

Junior Disability PDF

 

 

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Free Conference Exploring Changes To Special Educational Needs Legislation

Posted on March 31, 2013 by HDSSG

 

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Early Support are presenting a free conferences to explore how the changes in Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND) legislation will affect children, young people, families, services and the SEND sector. We will explore how Early Support and key working in partnership with other SEND delivery partners, Pathfinders and non-Pathfinder authorities can provide principles and approaches that translate legislation into practice.

It takes place in Leeds on Wednesday 8th May from 10am – 4pm.

Find out more & register here  - http://esleedsconference.eventbrite.co.uk/

 

Posted in Activities & Events, News Tagged , , , , , ,

Jack models for National Children’s museum

Posted on March 27, 2013 by HDSSG

J Eureka 2 ’Three days ahead of its opening to the public on March 29, Eureka gave a sneak preview of their £2.9m gallery to the press and key people who made the gallery happen.’

‘Only hours after contractors made the finishing touches to All About Me, a whole group of guests including HDSSG’s Jack and his younger brother Alex were invited to explore the gallery in the company of its new ambassador – Paralympian Hannah Cockcroft.  Leigh-Anne Stradeski, Eureka’s chief executive, gave a speech thanking all the numerous people who made it happen but also drew attention to the important messages the gallery aims to deliver.’

Eureka said  “Creating and installing this new gallery is not just about putting in exhibits so that everything is shiny and new.  All About Me is a gallery of our time, reflecting the interests, issues and concerns of children and families today and helping solve the social and health problems of tomorrow.”

J EurekaThe boys had a great time trying out all the new interactive exhibits. There are fabulous things to touch, smell, climb, reach for, look at, try out, watch, listen for… it really is a sensory wonderland! The models Eureka have chosen throughout the new area represent the wonderfully diverse society we live in and is a very true representation of the families they hope will visit their museum. They include images of families & children from all sorts of backgrounds, nationalities and abilities. Very refreshing.

We were thrilled that Jack had been asked to model for the project and you can see him in no less than 5 different areas! How’s that for inclusion!

So if you pop along to the museum look out for Jack won’t you….you can even have a dance with him!

The ‘All About Me’ gallery opens to the public this Friday (29.03.13) and is well worth a visit. For more info visit Eureka’s website

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