Peter McGowan, Managing Director of the ECS Group has been involved with local Northamptonshire charity, UpsnDowns since 2017.

UpsnDowns provides support and advice for children, adults and families affected by Down’s syndrome in Northamptonshire. They work with over 45 families across the county to increase awareness of Down’s syndrome and to promote positive attitudes and approaches within the local and wider community.

Run on a completely voluntary basis by a board of willing trustees, the charity’s income is wholly dependent on fundraising.  Individuals, companies and their own special events have all contributed to the continued growth of UpsnDowns.

All fundraising carried out enables UpsnDowns to provide fully funded services such as one-to-one swimming lessons, Communication Therapy, occupational therapy, sing-and-sign, horse riding lessons, sibling support and ‘Wacky Warehouse’ family play sessions.

The Communication Therapy service provided is vital for cognitive, behavioural, social and emotional development. Arguably, communication therapies are the most important part of intervention services for children with Down’s syndrome, because children are equipped with communication skills needed to be successful at school, home and at work in the future.

For 2020, UpsnDowns are calling on the local Northamptonshire business community to help fund their Communication Therapy service.

They are looking for twelve businesses across Northamptonshire to fund a months’ worth of Speech and Language therapy. Every month this costs the charity a huge £1000.

The ECS Group are really pleased to announce that they are the first Northamptonshire-based business to sign up and fund January 2020!

Peter McGowan, Managing Director ECS Group said, “I have been involved with UpsnDowns and some of the families for a few years now and I know first-hand the tremendous work that they do to raise money to support families and children with Down’s syndrome.” He then added, “It is so important that they can keep on raising awareness and educating the wider community about Down’s syndrome. We hope that lots of local businesses get involved and pledge their support.”

Kay Sammon, Chair of UpsnDowns, commented “Pete McGowan and his team at ECS have already provided so much tremendous support to UpsnDowns. We are incredibly grateful that they have committed to be the first local business to fund a month of speech and language in 2020. It’s amazing!”

Please get in touch with UpsnDowns to find out more about UpsnDowns 2020 Communication Therapy funding www.upsndowns.co.uk