More than 250 families of babies and young children with Down syndrome have been directly supported thanks to funds raised as part of this year’s HB Fundays campaign with HB Ice-cream, Down Syndrome Ireland has announced.
Some €251,648 was raised as part of this year’s campaign, allowing the charity to accelerate funding for the rollout of See and Learn, a vital language development programme for young children with Down Syndrome, and Parent-Link, a local support service for new parents of babies with Down syndrome. The Parent-Link service is provided by parent volunteers who will be trained and supported by Down Syndrome Ireland.
Down Syndrome Ireland member Tara Lundberg, whose daughter is Siún (5), said that learning to talk is a particular challenge for most children with Down syndrome. “The See and Learn programme is life-changing foir that reason,” Lundberg says, “as it helps children with Down syndrome like Siún develop their language and communication skills from a very young age.”
Speaking about the 2019 Fundays campaign, Down Syndrome Ireland CEO Gary Owens said the charity is very grateful to all who held a HB Fundays party this year. “You are helping young children with Down syndrome develop vital speech and language skills,” he said, “and also helping new parents receive the support they need directly from other parents who are sharing the same journey. Thank you.”
Down Syndrome Ireland and HB Ice-cream have been in partnership for 18 years and the HB Fundays Campaign has now raised a whopping €3.75 million to date.
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