Merseyrail's boost for DSL as it nominates us as their chosen charity for 2009

By Thomas Regan on Feb 25, 09 06:39 PM

Down Syndrome Liverpool received a massive funding boost at the start of 2009 as Merseyrail staff voted us their Charity of the Year.

DSL was invited to attend Merseyrail's annual event for partners as we were introduced as their nominated charity. At the event we had an exhibition table where we were able to promote what we do for members in Liverpool and to provide those interested with information about Down's syndrome. As a result of this we made several very useful contacts.

Bart Schmeink, Merseyrail's Managing Director, a busy man on the night, invited representatives of DSL to Rail House in February.

Chair John Hogan, member Nicola McCaroll and her mum Josie Tierney who nominated Down Syndrome Liverpool to Merseyrail met with Bart Schmeink on February 20th to receive a £10,000 cheque and to be told that this was just the first of several 'instalments' which would be raised over the next twelve months!

It was difficult not to look stunned at this news, and to have some initial discussion as to what was to take place over the course of the year.

This is a brief outline of what is being planned by Merseyrail staff to raise money for DSL:

April - collecting (buckets) on Grand National day at Aintree Station, Central Station and Moorfields Station.

July 4th - Golf Competition

July 5th - Sports day/it's a Knockout Golf day - end August

Sponsored Bike Ride to Holland - to be confirmed

Oct 31st - Halloween Ball

There is an expectation that this is to be a partnership between ourselves and Merseyrail, that we join in with the initiatives planned and support Merseyrail staff who are doing the bulk of the fundraising. I feel this is only right and as we get more details of the events we will be asking you, our members to support those initiatives.

Our organisation stand to benefit enormously from this gesture and we can really expand what we are doing to support families and children affected by Down syndrome in Liverpool.