FAMILIES, schools and businesses have been donning odd socks and joining in a long weekend of fun to raise awareness of World Down's Syndrome Day in Cheshire.

The Cheshire Down's Syndrome Support Group (CDSSG), based in Northwich, co-ordinated a host of activities to mark the 11th anniversary of the global day on Monday, March 21.

Julie Duff, CDSSG founder, said: "It's been good fun this year because all the families and individuals have gone off and done their own challenges and it's been really nice that the families have got involved and schools as well.

"It's spread this year across the whole of Cheshire, which is what we always wanted to do.

"It's my sixth year of holding an awareness day – it started off with Riverbank Day Nursery doing something six years ago and has grown somewhat since then.

"It's totally unbelievable and we're thrilled to bits."

March 21 is a special date for the support group as it represents three copies of chromosome 21, which is unique to people with Down's Syndrome.

This is also the theme for many of the challenges, which have included 21 toddlers running 3km, three sisters running 21 miles, a Sandiway woman running a mile every day for 21 days, 21 children taking part in a three-legged three-mile walk, as well as a number of cake sales and raffles and a teacher running and cycling a mile for each of the 32 children in his class.

The fun started on Friday with a golf day at McDonald Portal Hotel, in Tarporley, which saw golf pro Emma Goddard hit 21 balls in 39 seconds and raised more than £1,000.

The charity also announced its new patron, former Leeds Rhinos and Welsh international rugby player Iestyn Harris, at the golf day.

In the evening there was an Easter concert by The County High School Leftwich and Davenham Primary School, which saw all 150 performers wear odd socks and teachers perform a cheerleading routine.

On Saturday CDSSG ran an awareness day at Egerton Football Club, in Knutsford, home to its Down's Syndrome football club, which saw 150 children take part in odd socks football challenges.

Wigan Athletic players also wore Down's Syndrome awareness T-shirts while warming up for their game on Saturday.

The fun culminated in an Easter egg hunt through Northwich town centre on Monday, which saw 21 shops take part by displaying an odd sock and a Makaton clue.

For more information about CDDSG visit cheshiredownssyndrome.com.