Strictly Makaton: The Outcome

Learn and Thrive roars with success as nearly £17,000 is raised in ‘Strictly Makaton’ challenge. Charity trustees donned tiger outfits and face paint to perform Katy Perry’s hit ‘Roar’ using Makaton sign language.

Learn and Thrive, a UK Down’s syndrome educational charity has raised an incredible £16,700 to develop new free online learning resources for the Down’s syndrome community.

The challenge saw trustees being sponsored to learn Katy Perry’s hit ‘Roar’ in Makaton sign language in 21 days and then compete against each other in a live ‘Strictly Makaton’ final. The contestants were judged by a panel of young people with Down’s syndrome.

Jo Aiyathurai, CEO of Learn and Thrive, who took part in the challenge said:

“It was tough learning all the Makaton signs for the song in just 21 days but we all threw ourselves into it and the final was so much fun to participate in. However, the real stars are our brilliant judging panel of young people who showed that having Down’s syndrome should never be a barrier to a fulfilling life. All our sponsorship will go towards new free educational resources for them and every other young person with Down’s syndrome in the UK”.

The ‘Strictly Makaton’ winner chosen by the panel was trustee Shilpa Patel. She said:

“I loved taking part in the ‘Strictly Makaton’ challenge and to win it was an added bonus! Every single bit of energy that went into this was from my desire to help create new free educational content for the Down’s syndrome community across the UK".

See the fun they had here in the highlights video of the ‘Strictly Makaton’ challenge.

It’s not too late to donate so find the link below if you have the means to communicate👇