Hi All, I am currently training to do my first ever 5K Run and I have chosen to do the Purple Run in the Phoenix Park on Sat 25th March for Down Syndrome Louth Meath. This Charity means a lot to me as my nephew Emmet will benefit directly from it with the 'Early Intervention (Home Teacher) Programme' and also the 'Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Funding Scheme' coursed they provide for him.

Down Syndrome Louth Meath is a charity where parents have to raise money themselves as the State/HSE grants are minimal. All the money raised goes directly to benefit over two hundred families throughout the two counties (Louth/Meath). At local level they run on a completely voluntary basis ‘Early Intervention (Home Teacher) Programme’ and ‘Speech & Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Funding Scheme’ and also ‘Adult Literacy Programme’. The estimate cost of running just these three vital Programmes is €150,000 a year and to meet these costs they only receive a tiny grant of €30,000. The shortfall has to be covered by fundraising.