A sponsored walk organised by the parents of a number of children with learning disabilities has helped to raise thousands of pounds for a Down’s Syndrome charity.

Children, parents and support workers donned silly hats and gathered together at Calf Hey Reservoir, East Lancashire, for the event – which successfully raised over £2,000 for East Lancs Down’s Syndrome Support Group.

The group, which was founded in 2011 and meets every Saturday to arrange activities and presentations to raise awareness of the condition, was co-founded by Joanne Emberga, who took part in the Calf Hey Reservior event.

Ms Emberga said: “I would like to thank everyone at the group who supported me and also thank receptionist Janet Walker for getting sponsorship from the head office.

“The group meets on the first Saturday of the month and it is good to get to meet with parents and get support, and it is good for the children to play with each other and be in a place where they don’t feel isolated.”

Ms Emberga’s seven-year-old son, Linden, who has Down’s Syndrome himself, also participated in the event.