Big Step Forward

Every year we try and get more and more walks happening for the DSA and its affiliated groups across the country and here's where we need your help!

We want you and your friends to get together and organise a Big Step Forward and it couldn't be easier - we will provide you with a full 'How To' pack as well as help and support throughout.

Alternatively you can just sign up to the DSA's official walk.

Whether you have five walkers or 50, we want YOU to walk to raise vital funds and awareness for the DSA and its affiliated groups.

"I have three lovely children, the youngest of whom, Lucas, was born with Down's syndrome in 2006. When I read that the DSA had been formed in the month of my birth (Feb 1970) in the last fundraising magazine, it felt too much of a coincidence not to do something. Joining a walk seemed the ideal way to "do my bit" so I tried to find a local one. Sadly, there wasn't one so, with the encouragement of husband Phil and sister Steph, I decided to contact friends and family and see if we could drum up 40 walkers for a Rossendale event and set an ambitious target (I thought, in the current charity-fatigued environment) of £5k.

The response was phenomenal, with huge support, either by donations or agreement to walk, and, even better, the word spread to friends of friends so I have met new and great people who have also raised fantastic amounts.

I am so proud to say that the combined efforts of all our wonderful walkers has raised at the last count about £15k (we are still collecting). I must mention my work colleagues at HSBC who not only travelled great distances to support but raised over half that amount alone.

It was a gorgeous day and much enjoyed by everyone. The best bit is, apart from raiding all your contacts and deciding on a nice local walk, it really doesn't take a lot of organising - I would really recommend getting involved next year to anyone and everyone  - an inspiring day out for all the family!"  

We'd like to thank everyone who took part in a Big Step Forward up and down the country but special thanks go to everyone who turned up in the pouring rain in Teddington for the DSA's walk, Rachel Shatliff and the East Lancashire DS Support Group who had a fantastic 117 walkers this year and also Natalie Kendrick who walked in Nottingham for us where her youngest participants were just 2 months old!