Rock Your Socks

Thank you for taking part in Rock Your Socks for Mencap on World Down Syndrome Day.

At Mencap we want everyone with a learning disability to have a happy and healthy life.

This Easy Read has lots of ideas to help you raise money.

All the money we get from Rock Your Socks will change the lives of families in the UK.

World Down Syndrome Day is on 21 March every year.

People with Down Syndrome have an extra copy of chromosome 21.

A chromosome is part of a cell. Every living thing is made of lots of cells.

Chromosomes look like socks.

You can wear your funkiest socks and give some money to Mencap or choose on of our ideas.

Get everyone at your school, your work or your club, to pay some money to wear their funkiest socks on World Down Syndrome Day.

Plan a fitness challenge using the number 21 and ask people to sponsor you. 

You Could:

• run 21 miles
• do 21 laps of your garden
• exercise for 21 minutes.

You could do the challenge by yourself or with other people.

Use our colouring ideas to make some decorations and make some cakes to sell at a party.

You choose what to do.

It might be a:

• talent show
• quiz night
• cake sale
• jumble sale.

Whatever you do we will think you rock!

1. Decide what to do

It is important to plan what you are going to do. 

Choose your idea, ask some people to help you and make a start.

Top tip: You can get extra money at your event if you have a tombola, raffle or name the sock puppet competition.

2. Start to get money

The best way to get the amount of money you want is to make a fundraising page online.

Top tip: To get even more money, ask your employer if they will give you money if other people do.

3. Tell people

Tell as many people as you can about what you are doing. 

Tell your friends, your family, your work or your school.

Put up posters or share what you are doing on social media.

Your local newspaper might help you to tell people what you are doing.

4. Say thank you

Everyone that gives you money is helping us to make the UK the best place for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.

Remember to say thank you from Mencap!

Please email community.fundraising@mencap.org.uk if you need some help.

£25 could help us tell a parent or carer where they can find help near where they live.

£50 could help us make a garden into a safe and nice space for people with a learning disability.

£250 could help us talk to banks, gas, electric and water companies about how important it is for them to have easy to understand information.

This will help people with a learning disability understand the cost of living crisis and to manage their bills.

£500 could help us have 6 more Saturday clubs for families who do not get help from other services.

£2,000 could help someone with a learning disability go on a course which teaches them the skills they need to get a job.

We have a free Learning Disability Helpline for people with a learning disability, their families and carers.

If you live in England or Northern Ireland phone 0808 808 1111.

If you live in Wales phone 0808 8000 300.

The Learning Disability Helpline is open 10am - 3pm Monday - Friday.