Staff from the University of Ulster Students Union will be taking part in the Belfast Marathon on Monday 7th May.  David McAvoy, Colin Campbell, Clodagh Kennedy, Emmett Mullally & Mandy Mulholland will take part as a Students’ Union relay team.  

Families With Ups and Down’s would like to thank all the people participating in the Belfast Marathon for their generosity in their time and effort as well as all those supporting the runners through donations.

Families with Ups and Down’s is a family-based group that supports and is supported by families who have children and young people with Down’s Syndrome.  We provide a warm and welcoming atmosphere where parents and carers can get to know one another and meet others who have faced or are facing the particular challenges associated with having a child with Down’s Syndrome.  We aim to bring members together through support meetings and training to develop skills and improve the quality of life of the whole family; this offers a support network for parents and siblings as well as the child with Down’s syndrome.

The main aim of the group is to empower our children and improve their quality of life by ensuring they have the opportunity to experience the same social activities their peers take for granted.  Families With Ups and Down’s organise events e.g. trips to the seaside, Theatre shows, seasonal parties, as well as run weekly  Music, Drama, Sing & Sign clubs and a monthly kids club.
The money raised through your generosity will ensure we can continue with the social activities for our kids, run our clubs, train volunteers and run courses in Makaton sign language and first aid.

University staff and students can support the Students’ Union relay team by emailing info@uusu.org or telephoning 028 90 366050.

Photo: L-R: Clodagh Kennedy (Finance Manager), Emmett Mullally (General Manager), Mandy Mulholland (Accounts Officer) and David McAvoy (UU Catering).