A SUPPORT group is giving a boost to a major international campaign.

Cheshire Down’s Syndrome Support Group, a Northwich charity, is asking for support from schools and businesses to raise money for World Down’s Syndrome Day and the ‘Lots of Socks’ campaign.

They are calling for people to wear three pairs of socks to represent three chromosomes, run, cycle or walk 213km or miles, as part of their new ‘Get up for Down’s’ initiative and eat gingerbread socks supplied by Robert’s Bakery.

The ‘Get up for Down’s’ campaign ends on March,21, so community groups and work colleagues can get together before then and add all their miles together to complete the challenge.

The date, which is the 21st of the 3rd month, represents the 3 copies of chromosome 21 which is unique to people with Down’s syndrome.

Founded in 2007 by three local mums, CDSSG support more than 100 children with Down’s syndrome and their families.

The charity regularly visits schools and organisations in the area to support the use of ‘best practice’ strategies and to raise awareness.

The campaign is supported by Weaver Vale MP Mike Amesbury who is also opening the charity’s annual golf day.

He said: “Cheshire Down’s Syndrome Support Group do an excellent job of supporting young people and their families throughout the county.

“Last summer I met some of the children they work with to present achievement awards to celebrate the charity’s ten-year anniversary. It’s a pleasure to support this campaign and see the charity go from strength to strength.”

Last year more than £15,000 was raised on World Down Syndrome day through various fundraising initiatives.

Julie Duff, CDSSG chief executive, said: “We want this year’s campaign to be the biggest and best yet. Local schools and businesses have really got behind us in the past so we’re excited about what we can achieve this year.

“The idea behind the ‘Lots of Socks’ campaign is to raise awareness of Down’s syndrome by drawing attention to the cause to get people talking.

“The desire to unlock the amazing potential of children with Down’s syndrome underpins all our work so we’ll be running the campaign alongside the message ‘I have potential’ featuring images of the children we support thriving in a variety of settings.

“We have lots of events planned and are even getting our supporters pets involved in this year’s campaign by hosting a charity dog walk on March,20, at Marbury Park in Northwich and all are welcome.”

For more information visit the website cheshiredownssyndrome.com