News

Pound the Pavements 2022

by

Down Syndrome Ireland Louth Meath Branch in association with Indaver and LMFM is holding a Fundraising Event called Pound the Pavements to raise vital funds for the Branch.

How to Register

You will be able to register for the Event on myrunresults when the Page is set up.

There will also be an option to donate further or to set up an iDonate page for the event to raise funds for the Branch.

When you register, there is also the chance to purchase optional merchandise for the event.

We are asking friends, family and members of the local communities across Louth and Meath to join us in our virtual summer event – Pound the Pavements – to help raise much needed funds for DSI’s Louth Meath Branch.

When is this happening?

Over 21 days from 1st – 21st (inclusive) June 2022

Who can take part?

We are inviting all family, friends – at home and overseas – as well as members of our local communities across Louth and Meath to take part in this virtual event.

Dress up in purple and green and help us create a sea of walkers and runners across every town, village and road in Louth and Meath to Pound the Pavements over 21 km for the local Louth Meath Branch.

How can you take part?

This is a virtual event. Walk or run – you decide. The activity and pace for this event is entirely up to you. The goal is simply to have fun and reach 21km over 21 days. How you do it is up to you!!

Why 21km over 3 weeks?

Typically, a baby is born with 46 chromosomes. Babies with Down syndrome have an extra copy of one of these chromosomes, chromosome 21, hence the 21km.  Babies with Down Syndrome are born with 3 copies of chromosome 21 (rather than the usual two), hence the 3 weeks/ 21 days!

Cost of the event?

€10 for an individual

€20 for a family

There will also be an option to donate further when you register or an option to set up an iDonate page to raise funds.

We would love to hear about your progress.  Join us on our virtual challenge social media groups, connect with fellow participants, share your photos and stories on how you are progressing.

  • Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/downsyndromeirelandlouthmeathbranch/
  • Instagram: @louthmeathds
  • Twitter: @louthmeathds
  • Website: https://dsilmb.ie/

More about our branch:

Down Syndrome Ireland LouthMeath Branch provides support and information to over 350 families with a family member with Down syndrome in the counties of Louth & Meath. Down Syndrome Ireland LouthMeath Branch is run on a voluntary basis by parents of children with Down syndrome with the aid of a part time Administrator. DS Louth / Meath believes in supporting families to ensure the best quality of life possible for our members with Down syndrome. We work together, united in our aim to achieve respect, acceptance and equality within society for our members with Down syndrome.

The cost of running the Branch and managing the educational programmes, clubs and funding schemes per annum is in excess of €150,000, the vast majority of which is raised by parents of children with Down syndrome. 100% of funds raised directly benefit our members with Down syndrome. Without the generosity of the people of the Counties Louth and Meath these vital Programmes would have to be curtailed.

Please ensure that you comply fully with public health guidelines for the duration of this event.

Virtual Christmas Party Invitation

by

INVITATION

We have organised a Virtual Christmas Party for our Adult and Older Teenage Members.


When: Wednesday 22 December 2020
Time: 7 – 9PM
Where : Zoom Platform


The Party will be Hosted By Shay Casserly & Linda Farrell who will be assisted by Philip Connolly & Stephen Farrell.

Zoom Link has been sent out by email

NATIONAL RAFFLE WINNERS ANNOUNCED

by

Thank you to everyone who supported our first National raffle for Down Syndrome Ireland, the support nationally throughout our branch network was hugely appreciated.


The draw took place at the National Office in Dublin with Ross O’Neill, National Advisory Council, Barry Sheridan CEO of Down Syndrome Ireland and an independent observer Gerry Cully who checked all winning tickets were valid.

The winning tickets were sold by our branches in Sligo, Longford Westmeath and Louth Meath.


The winners are :


1st Prize Hyundai i10 Car – Winner Joanne Moore
2nd Prize Week Stay iNua Collection Hotels – Winner Marek Strutynski
3rd Prize €500 Dunnes Stores Gift Car – Winner Rebecca Finnegan


Seller Prize Weekend stay Kellys Resort Wexford – Winner Aine O’Sullivan


Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to all the people who bought and sold tickets.

ShareTheJourney #DSI50th

VIRTUAL HALLOWEEN DISCO & PARTY

by

INVITATION


VIRTUAL HALLOWEEN DISCO & PARTY


We are organising a Virtual Halloween Disco & Party for our Adult and older Teenage Members.


When: Sunday 31 October 2021
Time: 7 – 9PM
Where: Zoom Platform


Why not invite some friends together to your home and party at home.

The Party will be Hosted By Shay Casserley & Linda Farrell who will be assisted by Philip Connolly & Stephen Farrell.


Invitation details have been sent out by email

50th Anniversary National Raffle through our local branch network

by

As part of our 50th Anniversary celebrations, we are holding a national raffle through our local branch network throughout Ireland. We have 25 branches across Ireland that offer a range of services and supports to children and adults with Down syndrome and their families.

The raffle will support the DSI community at a local level as well as helping further develop supports at a national level ensuring continued support to people with Down syndrome across the lifecycle.

Your support will help make a real difference to the lives of children and adults with Down syndrome.


Prizes


1st Prize – A Hyundai i10 Classic
2nd Prize – A week stay in one of the iNua hotels
3rd Prize – €500 Dunnes Stores gift card


Seller’s prizes – Weekend break for 2 adults & 2 children in Kelly’s Resort Hotel & Spa in Wexford!
Tickets €10


To support your local branch, purchase your ticket by contacting the Branch on 0838972044 or secretarydslm@gmail.com or any Committee member.


If you would like to sell tickets on behalf of the Branch please contact Brendan on 0838972044 or secretarydslm@gmail.com.

If you wish to buy online, we have a dedicated iDonate page for you to do so.


Please note that proceeds from Tickets bought on the iDonate link do not come to the Branches but to DSI Head office to support national projects. If you wish to support the Branches please buy the tickets from the Branches.

The draw will take place on November 19th, 2021.

Fun With Numbers

by

“Fun with Numbers” has starting up again.

We run “Fun with Numbers” Sessions each week.  There are 2 sessions per week on Mondays and Thursdays.
We are starting again on Monday 13th and Thursday 16th of September.

We have set up the following age groupings however if your child’s age falls outside these categories we will still try to accommodate.
Junior Group Ages   8-11 – 4pm Mondays
Senior Group Ages 12 and up – 5.30pm Thursdays

The thought is that Deirdre will target older children on a Thursday and younger children on a Monday, however all children are welcome to participate in either or both sessions each week if you think the content is suitable.


Down Syndrome Louth Meath will cover the cost of the sessions, so there will be no cost to parents for these sessions. The Sessions will run during the school terms as long as there is interest.

The students will need some materials ahead of the sessions, but Deirdre will let you know ahead of time what will be needed – it will all be inexpensive stuff that you may already have or can recycle around the house or will be able to get in the likes of Dealz. Deirdre will  also send links for printable materials, should any member not have access to a printer please contact us immediately when Deirdre posts links to printables and we can arrange to have them posted to you.

We have set up a WhatsApp group for each age group, so that Deirdre can fill you in on what materials are needed and send you the Zoom ID and password.  Deirdre posts a video each week explaining about materials required.

Please let me know if you would like your child to take part (if you have taken part before there is no need to register again). 
I will need the following details by return of email as soon as possible.

Child Name:Parents name and telephone number for WhatsApp Group:
Child’s age:Email Address:

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Numicon Talk in Slane Saturday 6th November 2021

by

Numicon Talk in Slane Saturday 6th November 2021 for Professional & Parents/Carers. 


This talk will suit Children whose Maths level is from infants up to the end of Second Class (early multiplication).

The Professional talk will take place in the morning and the Parents/Carers talk will come in the afternoon on Saturday 5th Oct . 

Professionals 

There is a numicon talk for professionals on Saturday 6th November 2021, 10-12:30pm in Conyngham  Arms Hotel, Slane. This talk is aimed at teachers/SNAs who are working with children with Down Syndrome.  

Due to the limited spaces, the talk is offered to teachers/SNA’s of paid members on a first come first served basis. 


Please email secretarydslm@gmail.com or text 083 8972044 as soon as possible to reserve a space.  

Parents/Carers 

There is a Numicon talk for parents on Saturday 6th November 2021, 1.30pm- 3.30pm.  

Please email secretarydslm@gmail.com or text 083 8972044as soon as possible to reserve a place.

This course is available to paid up members of the Louth/Meath branch.

Online Adult Learning Opportunities for Summer 2021

by

Down Syndrome Ireland Louth Meath Branch in conjunction with the LMETB are offering online Art & Crafts Classes and online Cookery Classes to our Adult members.


Art & Craft Classes start  AUG 4/5TH and the Cookery Classes will be starting soon.  


To book places, please contact: Mike Egan mike@downsyndrome.ie or 085 8618866.