Jack Crowley launches Down Syndrome Centre Cork 'Challenge 21' fundraiser

This year’s Challenge 21, the Down Syndrome Centre Cork’s flagship annual fundraiser, has been launched by Munster and Ireland rugby fly-half Jack Crowley.

The Cork native, who has been one of Ireland’s standout performers in this year’s Six Nations Championship, joined children from the centre outside SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh for the launch of the fifth edition of the event.

Each year, Challenge 21 sees participants walk, jog, or run 21km from Haulbowline Island to Páirc Uí Chaoimh. This year it takes place on Sunday, June 14.

The number 21 is close to the heart of Down Syndrome Centre Cork, with Down syndrome caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21, known as Trisomy 21.

World Down Syndrome Day falls on March 21, or 3/21, to reflect the three copies of chromosome 21, and Challenge 21 covers 21 kilometres in honour of this.

Incredible

Speaking at the launch, Mr Crowley said he had been lucky enough to spend some time with some of the young people from the Down Syndrome Centre Cork and they had been incredible.

“The Centre does unbelievable work for families across Cork city and county, and they depend on events like Challenge 21 to keep going,” he said.

“It’s a 21k run along Cork Harbour on June 14.

“I’d love to see as many people as possible sign up and get behind it. It’s for a brilliant cause.”

The Down Syndrome Centre Cork, based in Forge Hill, provides vital early intervention services to more than 180 children and their families across Cork city and county.

Services include speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, play therapy, early intervention groups, and sibling support.

As a registered charity, the centre currently receives no government funding and relies entirely on public donations and fundraisers such as Challenge 21 to keep its doors open.

For further information, see https://www.dscentrecork.ie.