Update on our Charity Partner for the Year 2018 – Ups and Downs Southwest

Higos Insurance Services is delighted to support Ups and Downs Southwest, who are our chosen Higos Charity of the Year for 2018.

Ups and Downs Southwest is a parent-led charity, based in Somerset, who provide information, advice and support for children with Down Syndrome to parents, carers, families and professionals throughout the South West region. The charity aims to enable children with Down Syndrome to enjoy happy, healthy and fulfilling lives in which they can reach their full potential.

A cheque presentation took place on Monday 1 October for a total of £2,611.44, this amount was raised for various different events.

Ten Tors Jubilee Challenge – £1,000

The Ten Tors Jubilee Challenge is a trekking expedition on northern Dartmoor designed specifically for young people with special needs, both physical and educational.

 Higos sponsored the training for the challenge, helping towards enhancing confidence in the young people involved. The challenge allows them to develop leadership skills, problem-solving, hillwalking and camping skills.

Ten Tors Jubilee Challenge T-shirts – £69.60

As part of the challenge the young people had t-shirts to show their involvement which we were happy to sponsor, the t-shirts allowed them to feel part of a greater team.

Annual General Meeting – £400

The AGM is a time for parents, carers and professionals working with children with Down Syndrome to get together and talk through the work which has been carried out over the past year. Higos have been happy to sponsor the food for this event to help make it free to attend.

21 Day Challenge – £1,141.84

Three teams from Higos took part in the 21 Day Challenge which was launched on World Down Syndrome Day (21 March 2018). The teams were from the Higos Yeovil and Bridport branches, as well as a team, made up of members from The Higos Community Fund Charity Committee. The challenge which lasted until August gave each team £21 starting cash to raise as much money for the charity as possible.

Michelle Sugg, Fundraising and Public Relations Officer for Ups and Downs Southwest said, “The support we have received from Higos over the last two years has been invaluable and allowed us to do things we wouldn’t have been able to do, such as the Ten Tors Challenge. As an organisation and from the families who we support, we are all very grateful for the money that you have raised for us. It has been a truly wonderful relationship after the last two years. Thank you to everyone at Higos for your help and support.”

Emily Wright of the Higos Community Fund added “It has been fantastic to work so closely with such an amazing charity and to provide them with valuable resources to help them and the young people they support. We have really enjoyed working with Ups and Downs Southwest and hope the money we’ve raised helps them to continue their invaluable work.”

If you would like further information about the Higos Community Fund please visit Higos