We are delighted to announce that 90s television and fitness legend Derrick Evans MBE, AKA Mr Motivator, has joined the Down’s Syndrome Association (DSA) as a Patron. He sits alongside the likes of Dame Judy Dench DBE, Emma Barton, Damon Hill OBE, Michael Caines MBE and Peter Davison as an ambassador for the charity.
Derrick has worked with us for the past eight months, offering up his popular Motivational Experience workouts as part of our DSEngage programme on a Wednesday night. He was also put in the spotlight as part of our Our Voice Interviews series. On accepting the position, Derrick said:
“I have always promoted the need for inclusion in every aspect of life and making exercise and all its curative power available and accessible to everyone is important to me. As a Patron of the Down’s Syndrome Association, there is a mutual collaboration of mind, body and soul which brings me so much joy, and that feeling of togetherness makes everyone feel so good. Together we achieve more.”
Derrick Evans, Patron of the DSA
Here’s what some of our members have to say about Wednesday nights
James
“I first started to do Mr Motivator sessions with DSEngage on Wednesday evenings. I loved the sessions so much that I wanted to join his club. My mum Diana and I now take part in three sessions a week and have so much fun doing it together. It is one of the best things that we now do together, and has helped us through a difficult year. The pictures are of me also in some of the great Mr Motivator’s t-shirts that I have bought. Say Yeah!”
Lindsay
“I first started to do Mr Motivator sessions after the big workout session. I was then asked to interview him with Isla about his life and work. He was very friendly and easy to talk to so I decided that I wanted to take part in the weekly sessions whenever I could. The workouts are great, very energetic but fun and exhausting by the end. Joining him has helped me to get fitter.”
Rhys
“I like doing the push-ups. He’s really funny, especially the chicken dance. He always says hello to me.”
Tony 
“Tony Lunny is in the house”, says Mr Motivator when he sees me on Zoom. I love doing my workouts 💪 with him. He has loads of energy and he makes me laugh. He makes my dad and me work hard. I also love his music. “Uh- huh, Uh-huh.”
Ruth 
“I love Wednesdays at 6.30pm because it’s Mr Motivator time!!!! It makes me feel better in myself. It makes me feel excited and happy to be me.”
Our Voice members Lindsay and Isla had the pleasure of interviewing Mr Motivator MBE. It followed a very energetic workout session with the legend himself.
Some of our members have also gone on to join Derrick’s ‘Motivational Club’, ensuring that keeping fit always equals having fun.
Read about all our Patrons here.
Sign up to the Motivational Experience via DSEngage each Wednesday 6:30-7:30pm via Zoom here.