Hear from our community at the Oarsome Maths Mission!

(Left or right) Freya, Jo, and Sam smiling at the camera wearing black Learn and Thrive t-shirts.

We were lucky enough to have some amazing members of the Down’s syndrome community representing the learners we support by taking part in the Oarsome Maths Mission!

The teams have raised over £15,700. They’ve blown last year’s total out of the water (no pun intended!).

Sam, Bethan, Freya, Aimee, and more attended as part of our six incredible teams. Let’s hear from some of them about the day…

Zac hugging a friend from his team, all wearing Learn and Thrive black t-shirts

Zac, member of the boat Paddle4Down’s which was sponsored by Game4Padel, says:

I loved it! The best part was being with my family and friends in the boat, playing in the park and football and paddling.

Bethan as drummer on the front of the Learn & Paddle boat.

Bethan’s mum and Learn and Thrive CEO Jo, says:

It was a brilliant day. So lovely to have an event that Bethan can access the same way her brothers can. Bringing families together and having young with and without DS enjoying themselves side by side their peers. 

Bethan loved the drumming she is usually quite shy but loved being the lead on the team, even if the beat was fairly dubious at times!

Freya (wearing glasses) smiling on board the Learn & Paddle boat with her teammates.

Freya and Dan were along for a second year in a row! Dan tells us about how Freya felt about the day.

Freya loved the day, she enjoyed seeing Bethan and Las and being able to have ice cream! Her favourite part was drumming, though personally I didn't enjoy trying to keep up with her!

Sam smiling and holding both thumbs up at the camera.

Sam and his family came along to the day without knowing anyone before - they just wanted to have fun! Sam has since been away on holiday and used the skills he learnt at the dragon boat race. He tells us about the day:

I was a little worried about what I needed to do before we went, but everyone was really nice and friendly. I got the idea and really paddled hard in the last race. The best bit was getting to bang the drum and tell everyone to paddle faster!