This Saturday marks the ninth annual World Down Syndrome Day which is being honoured at the Valley by our very own Charlton Upbeats. Here is all you need to know about what is happening in our little corner of London.
Who are the Charlton Upbeats?
Launched in 2009, the Charlton Upbeats became the third DSActive team following in the footsteps of the ‘Fulham Badgers’ and the ‘QPR Tiger Cubs.’ The aim of DSActive is a simple one: to provide children and adults with Down Syndrome the opportunity to get involved with the sport we all love. With teams open to players aged 5 and upwards, the Charlton Upbeats have seen over 100 players pass through the doors and participate. In the short time since their founding, the Upbeats have proven hugely successful both on and off the pitch. Having successfully won funding through the national lottery supported ‘People’s Millions’, the Charlton Upbeats has recently formed an adult team that plays in the Kent Adult Disability League.
All you need to know about the Charlton Upbeats and all the work done by the Charlton Athletic Community Trust can be found here: http://www.cact.org.uk/
What is Charlton Upbeats Day and why is it happening?
Coinciding with both World Down Syndrome Day and Charlton’s home fixture against Reading, Charlton Upbeats Day is a day to generate both awareness and some cash for the Upbeats. With Down syndrome affecting approximately one in every eight hundred live births, the condition reaches right across many communities. The opportunity to participate in sport is one that should be afforded to everyone and the community trust works tirelessly, through the Upbeats programme, to ensure that these opportunities are afforded to those members of our community affected by Down Syndrome. That’s why the day, and the project itself, are so valuable and should be the source of great pride to all Charlton Supporters.
So what’s going on?
Setting off from the CAFC Training Ground at Sparrows Lane, fund raising supporters will be joined by Charlton Legends Bob Bolder, Carl Leaburn and Richard Rufus to ‘Walk the Walk’ in support of the Upbeats. Talking to the official club website, Rufus described “I’ve been associated with Charlton throughout my whole career and I’ve always been proud of the community initiatives they deliver. The Upbeats is the perfect example and it would be my pleasure to be part of an event like this.” Also joining the supporters and former players is club CEO Katrien Meire and the fundraisers shall be setting off at 9am to make the eight mile sponsored walk to the Valley.
More information on the walk is available once again at the CACT website here: http://www.cact.org.uk/
But that’s not all. Every supporter, walker or otherwise, should bust a gut to get down to the Valley at the earlier time of 1:30pm for even more football action. The Upbeats will be playing in a three team tournament against London rivals, and fellow DSActive tams, from Fulham and QPR. With the tournament being covered by Sky Sports reporter Dickie Davis, and with post match interviews with the stars from the Upbeats team, there is plenty of reason to get to the Valley early. And who knows, we may get to stroll away from the Valley having watched not one but four wins for the Addicks.
Where can I hand over my dosh?
As well as generating awareness through social media (using the hashtags #WalkTheWalk and #SupportTheUpbeats) Charlton supporters are encouraged to donate money through the JustGiving page at: https://www.justgiving.com/charltonupbeatsday2015/
With over 35 young people attending each session every Saturday this really is a fantastic cause and something we as Charlton supporters and football fans can be proud of. So give generously, get to the Valley early and if you are feeling particularly brave, don your walking boots and get down to Sparrows Lane.