Coronavirus Update

This is I am afraid another message about Coronavirus.

Considering recent developments and guidelines provided by the Government, to protect our Members we have decided to suspend the charities programme for the time being. The following events have therefore been postponed:

• 5th April 2020 – World Down Syndrome day celebration at Rayleigh Megazone
• 3rd May 2020 – Family day at Adventure Island
• 28th June 2020- AGM and family day at Stubbers

We are currently looking at how we might be able to arrange them later in the year once current restrictions have changed and/or been removed.

We have also taken the decision to cancel the Football sessions on Friday evenings for the foreseeable future.

The Firebreak course scheduled for the 27th July 2020 is still going ahead at this time, though this will be reviewed nearer to the date.

The Committee have also taken the difficult decision to cancel this year’s Go-Karting event at Buckmore Park which was scheduled to take place on the 16th May 2020. This annual event, brilliantly organised by Greg Stuttle, is our main fundraiser and the loss of income that will result from this decision will impact upon the Charity this year and next.

We hope to undertake the event next year and have already agreed a date with Buckmore Park who have agreed to hold over our deposit, but we could really do with some support from Members to build interest in next year and get new participants.

Also, if any of you can do fundraising for the charity to help us bridge this gap it would be most welcomed. It doesn’t have to be a big event any amount will be greatly appreciated.

It is regrettable that we need to take these steps, but these are unique times. We will seek to provide further updates to you as things change via email, or you can visit our website at https://www.extra21.org.uk/.

We do have a closed Facebook page for Parents and Carers where you can find support. To access this please search for DSE21 Parents group and request to join.

Yours sincerely,

Paul Davies
Chair of Management Committee