Transport firm LTS Global Solutions led a campaign to transform secondary education for pupils with Down syndrome – and it smashed through its £40,000 target ahead of the deadline.
The Midlands company said reaching the goal had come as a major boost for families of children with Down syndrome at a time when the SEND community missed out on extra government funding in the recent budget.
The campaign aims to ensure secondary schools across the country are adequately equipped with the knowledge, skills and resources needed to create truly inclusive learning environments for pupils with Down syndrome.
Every penny donated will be used to fund the development of a comprehensive Secondary Education Programme scheduled for launch nationally at the start of the September term 2026.
To give the campaign a major boost charity Down Syndrome UK (DSUK) produced a series of short films featuring young people with Down syndrome, including one with 11-year-old Ella Hands and her parents – LTS Global Solutions MD Dave Hands and his wife Rachel who is head of HR and communications at the Coleshill firm.
The films were posted on DSUK’s social media channels along with links to the Big Give match funding campaign website which enabled LTS Global Solutions and The Hospital Saturday Fund to match the donations.
Over one week at the start of December the Big Give campaign raised a total £12,275, taking the fundraiser £2,000 over its £40,000 target.
Dave and Rachel set out to help students with Down syndrome after their own experience in finding a suitable secondary school for Ella.
Having witnessed their daughter thrive during her primary school years they were disappointed that the same skill sets needed to support students were not matched in secondary education.
Now with the funding in place the programme will offer accredited training modules, resources and ongoing support in a wide range of subjects and areas including numeracy, literacy, communication and social engagement.
It has been devised by Dr Becky Baxter who is the director of education and speech and language at DSUK and has two decades of experience in working with students with Down syndrome.
MD Hands said: “To hit our goal in only nine months and to surpass our target by £2,000 is simply incredible.
“This will make a significant difference for all students with Down syndrome as well as providing much needed support to their teachers.
“I can’t thank everyone involved enough for being part of this journey and for their generosity in helping us to achieve this wonderful milestone – not least our suppliers, clients and staff who have been supporting our efforts every step of the way, and fellow members of The Pallet Network who gave so generously at our members’ event in September.
“The kindness and dedication shown is truly appreciated and the achievement is a testament to the power of community and the positive impact we can create when we come together for such a worthwhile cause.”
The extra £2,000 will be put towards ongoing costs to roll the programme out to secondary schools nationwide, benefiting students with Down syndrome across the UK.
