Following the Trust’s announcement HERE that our chosen charity for collaboration during 2025/26 is the Rochdale DS All Stars, we thought we would introduce them to you, explain the challenges they face, and share a bit about Down,s syndrome and to outline again the five key objectives which we hope to achieve this season, objectives we hope you will be able to support when we launch the funding drive soon.
What Is Down’s Syndrome?
Down’s syndrome (DS) is one of the most commonly occurring chromosomal conditions and has occurred in all stages of history, and across all nationalities, races and religions.
DS is down to one small genetic difference. While a typical person has 23 pairs of chromosomes, an individual with DS has three copies of chromosome 21 in every cell.
We have put together an article which explains all of this and much much more.
You can read HERE
With your kindness, support and donations, we can achieve so much. We will be posting on that later in the week.
When Emma Lambert, one of the founders of the Rochdale DS All Stars, presented the group to us— its drive, its needs, and its wants for the future —it truly blew us away as while there is a lot of joy in these famalies, many do face challenges, which we had not initially appreciated. Meeting the group and the remarkable individuals within it made us realise that we — the Trust, the members, and all fans alike — can make a significant impact in ways we never imagined. We are grateful to the mums, dads, families, and to the people themselves who have the syndrome for welcoming us into their lives.
Before we continue, a quick reminder of the five targets we hope to achieve for the group above, which we hope will encourage others to join and get involved.
With your support, we can achieve:
- The initiative will launch with Dale Trust supporting the Rochdale AFC Community Trust’s provision of winter indoor training and coaching facilities, allowing the group’s children and young adults to continue their football training over the winter months.
- A trip to a Rochdale Pantomime for the family at Christmas. This will be part of a fun package for the family to enjoy together.
- A chance for the children, siblings, and their parents to enjoy a match at the Crown Oil Arena and to have hospitality. It is hoped that this will be a continuing process.
- Support parental respite sessions where parents can share “downtime”. Facilitate help sessions and support in a calm environment. These sessions take place across Rochdale.
- Initiate continuing support for an all-important Speech and Language programme. This program requires the specialist time of Speech Therapists who have a speciality in this area.
So, with targets set, let’s meet more from the group, understand the challenges, and see the fun that is achieved. We will also put to bed some misnomers and myths that may be held.
We mentioned the challenges above in our opening, and the graphic below highlights more: Much has changed in recent years, and the challenges are being met head-on. Skilled practitioners, medical understanding and progress, and ongoing advances produce outcomes that 50 years ago would not have been considered possible. In some small way, we all can help.
We have more than a sneaking suspicion that this cheeky cherub above is having some serious fun time outside with chums. The smile says it all, but the perception that all DS folk are happy because they’re always smiling is a myth.
So, What Does the Rochdale DS Group do? With the help of Mickey, the graphic below gives more insight.
But what can we do? The Trust, its members, and all Dale fans, wherever you are —on land, sea, or in the air.
We hope that you will all get behind the campaign.
With your help, every one of the targets above can be achieved, and the impact will be immediate.
Let’s meet the actual members and the team involved.
From Claire’s initial vision and with the support of Lalain and Emma—both mothers of daughters with Down’s syndrome—and the families of the wonderful individuals involved, our aim with your help is to ensure that the group grows and continues to grow. We will strive to support the development and growth of the Rochdale DS All Stars group and to assist in any way possible in meeting the needs and challenges they face.
But now meet the real stars...
And it does not stop there; there’s more, and a football theme is beginning to develop!
The following picture shows a budding soccer player—note the shirt! It also features quotes from some mums and dads, but really, it’s Dale’s potential future number 9. We just loved this picture. UTD.
From the Dale Trust’s perspective, Rochdale DS All Stars stood out. As a small yet dynamic, relatively new group, we felt we could make a significant difference to their members through this initiative and with donations, as well as the awareness and connections we hope to raise on their behalf.”
“We also liked that their work is very much anchored in Rochdale and supports local children and families, who, as a community, are traditionally under-represented in our crowds.
The opportunity to get these families through the turnstiles and help them enjoy football, both through their training with Rochdale AFC Community Trust and by making matches accessible to children with special needs, is an exciting prospect and one that closely aligns with the Club’s ambitions, and one that the Trust believes supports the mantra “For Generations To Come”
Feel-good Fridays —always good with a cuppa!
And finally, like all parents, a spot of R and R is always appreciated, for some it may represent respite, for others a chance to have a good natter, and for all, we hope that with your help with the Trust’s imminent Appeal due to launch the week of the 21st October the other aims we have put in our initiative charter can be achieved.
This family meet-up seems to have a chap visiting who travels typically on the 25th of December.
With your support for our future fundraising campaigns, you can ensure that Santa’s visit returns and that all the initiatives we have set as targets become realities.
We thank the people at Ds All Stars for permission to use some of their brilliant photos.
Football through the winter.
A group family visit to the panto
Respite Care and some deserved R and R for parents
Vital Speech Therapy for all ages
And of course, visits to the Crown Oil Arena to see the mighty Dale win (We print that with permission of the football gods!)
For information and offers of help, info@daletrust.co.uk
If you want to know more or speak to Emma at the Rochdale DS AllStars about participation, you can contact her at
If you would like to donate now, then click the DONATE link below
