Join the RunAcrossUK Team and help change the narrative!!!
My name is Iris and I am delighted to be organising RunAcrossUK for its second year. This event aims to raise £50,000 for the Down’s Syndrome Association and Down’s Syndrome Scotland.
The RunAcrossUK Team will be running, walking and cycling from John o’Groats to Lands End. The 1,000 mile event will take place across the weekend 20-22 March 2026 in line with International Down Syndrome Day. “RunAcrossUK Weekend” highlights the power of community and is a demonstration of the influence that each one of us holds. By people coming together to support a common cause, we are able to raise vital funds for two charities that support the Down’s Syndrome community. I am looking for people to sign up to either run, walk or cycle a leg of our journey from John o’Groats to Land’s End. Feel free to divide the section up between friends, colleagues or family members to make it more manageable. It doesn’t matter whether you are a sports enthusiast or new to these activities, I would like to have as many people taking part in this event as possible.
I am inspired by my little sister Nancy who has Down’s Syndrome. Everyday she encourages me to view life with more beauty and optimism. I have set up RunAcrossUK to encourage an active conversation with friends, family and strangers about the beauty and challenges of Down’s Syndrome. I hope it will inspire people to be inquisitive and open about their experiences and help to change the narrative surrounding Down’s Syndrome. Each one of us has a sphere of influence that extends ripples throughout the world. By joining the RunAcrossUK Team you can be part of this ripple of change.
This is an event where everyone can get involved. You can walk, cycle or run. We have pre-arranged routes and distance but If you can only manage part of that distance, this will all go towards us completing that leg.
Register Now and be part of something really special…
When: 20th – 22nd March
Time: Anytime
Where: Throughout the UK
Registration fee: Free
Sponsorship: £210
If you are interested in taking part you can register now at the link below.
Quotes from previous participants
Rhiannon – “This was such a lovely, uplifting thing to do together as a family. The fact the run was a relay meant we could all join in, whatever our running abilities and fitness levels. And it really helped raise our awareness of Down Syndrome, and all the work these two important charities do.”
Ollie – “ I loved having the opportunity to make a positive impact on people’s lives while doing something I enjoy.”
Lorna – “When I heard about it and got in touch with Iris , I was so touched by her love for her sister, and by her passion to raise money and awareness for DSA and DSS, that I was more than happy to become involved. In my own fund-raising part of RunAcrossUK people I didn’t even know very well were so supportive of the cause. I was glad to be part of something that really was something lovely and big in relation to raising awareness and understanding of Downs Syndrome. Iris has raised so much awareness and meeting her, her sister and her family was a truly lovely experience. Hopefully we can do this all again next year.”
Izzy – “RunAcrossUK was more than just an event, it was about being part of a team. The community that Iris and Nancy brought together was incredible, and the support shown throughout was truly inspiring. It also introduced me to new challenges. I had never run before, and Run Across gave me a purpose — a reason to train, to push myself, and I actually enjoyed the run.”
George – “Personally I thought the incredible amount of support from the team in the groupchat whilst running was immense and certainly helped me continue running as there was someone always cheering you on in the background! As well as the amazing organisation and communication from the team when organising running positions & times, made it all feel super simplistic!”
Luke – “I loved the community spirit of everyone coming together for a good cause and the feeling of being a small part of achieving something massive.”
Restriction
Please think carefully about planning your route to ensure your own safety
Accessibility
We aim to ensure that our events are as inclusive as possible. That’s why you can walk, cycle and run any distance on your own or as part of a team.
Why support Down’s Syndrome Scotland?
We want to help everyone with Down’s syndrome reach their fullest potential through every age and stage of life. We know that one of the best ways of doing this is by supporting families and carers.
As a small, committed charity we want to ensure we reach every community in Scotland that needs us, by not only providing support, services and training but also calling out injustice and inequality.
By taking part in Run Across, you can help us make amazing things happen for people with Down’s syndrome living in Scotland.
How we will support you
When you sign up to run for us, you will receive:
If you have any questions, please contact us by emailing fundraising@dsscotland.org.uk or call 0300 030 2121.
Join us for the most magical night of the year as we come together to celebrate the Down’s syndrome community and raise vital funds to support individuals and families across Scotland
We’re proud to be reaching more families than ever – calls for support have increased by 26% – but this comes at a cost and we need your support to help us be there for everyone who needs us.
Whether you’re part of the Down’s syndrome community or joining us as a corporate sponsor, it’s a night to connect, celebrate and make a lasting impact!
When: Saturday 8th November 2025
Where: Glasgow Hilton, William Street, Glasgow, G3 8HT
Ticket Price : Early bird price until midnight 30th May: DSS Members £80 | Non-Members £92
From 31st May: DSS Members: £87 | Non-members: £97
Tables of 10 also available
You can no longer purchase your tickets here but limited tickets are still available to purchase through emailing Ashley.Taylor@dsscotland.org.uk
Why Support Down’s Syndrome Scotland?
By joining us at our Forever 21 Ball, you can help us make amazing things happen for people with Down’s syndrome living in Scotland.
Feeling brave and up for an exhilarating challenge!!!
We are working with Firewalk Scotland to bring a new challenge event for 2025 – will you join us?
This is your chance to take part in an adrenaline-fueled Firewalk event that will allow you to find your inner courage and confidence and overcome any self-limiting beliefs.
Join us at Edinburgh Academy Junior School on 23rd October to face your fears. The event will begin with a 90 minute motivational workshop followed by the Firewalk itself.
We’re asking all our participants to promise to raise at least £150 in sponsorship plus £25 in advance sponsorship to secure your place. We will provide all the support you need to help you meet and beat your fundraising goal.
When: Thursday 23 October 2025
Time: 5.30pm till 7.30pm
Where: The Edinburgh Academy Junior School & Nursery10 Arboretum Road, Edinburgh, EH3 5PL
Registration fee: £25
Sponsorship: £150
Restrictions
We aim to ensure that our events are as inclusive as possible. If you can walk three metres you can join in. If you can’t you are welcome to join us in the workshop.
By taking part in Down’s Syndrome Scotland Firewalk, you can help us make amazing things happen for people with Down’s syndrome living in Scotland.
Take your support to new heights and experience this brand new abseiling experience!
A brand-new experience for Down’s Syndrome Scotland supporters! An abseil off the tallest whisky distillery in the world! It’s our best event yet, it’s the Port of Leith Distillery Abseil!
This is the first time this event has ever been done by anyone! This is a truly unique experience for you to ascend the 100ft drop off the Port of Leith Distillery. And, what a view you’ll have, with views across Edinburgh’s skyline and of the historic Royal Yacht Britannia beside you! Standing proudly on the waterfront, the Port of Leith Distillery is the UK’s first vertical distillery, a striking nine-storey tower wedged into Edinburgh’s historic harbour.
Restrictions: Participants must be 12 years old and over and minimum weight limit is 35kg.
When: Saturday 9 May 2026
Where: Port of Leith, Edinburgh
Registration fee: £20
Sponsorship: £200
By taking part in the Scottish Half Marathon, you can help us make amazing things happen for people with Down’s syndrome living in Scotland.
Take to the skies for a breathtaking and exhilarating experience of a lifetime!
Challenge yourself to jump from an aircraft at a whopping 13,000 feet and plunge down to earth at speeds of over 120mph and help us fund our vital work supporting people with Down’s syndrome and their families.
Select and date and airfield that is most convenient to you. You will be provided with all the training, equipment and support by the qualified instructors and skydive team.
You can book your Skydive through Skyline – you will be required to pay a registration fee of £70 on booking and the remaining cost of the jump will be paid for by us as long as the minimum fundraising requirement is met.
When: Various days and times throughout the year
Where: St Andrews, Auchterarder or Errol
Registration fee: £70 deposit
Minimum fundraising target: £395 – £450 depending on airfield and cost of the jump
If you are interested in doing a Skydive you can book now via Skyline at the link below.
Why skydive for Down’s Syndrome Scotland?
By taking part in a Skydive, you can help us make amazing things happen for people with Down’s syndrome living in Scotland.
How will we support you?
When you sign up to skydive for us, you will receive:
Join us for the Aberdeen Tower Abseil!
Participants will abseil 131ft off the summit of the iconic Kings Tower with a spectacular view from the top and an adrenalin rush when you abseil down.
No experience is necessary and you will receive safe and expert guidance throughout.
You do need to be at least 16 years old to take part, with written permission from an adult if 16 years old. Maximum weight is 18 stone.
When: Saturday 17 August
Where: Kings Church, Aberdeen
Why abseil for Down’s Syndrome Scotland?
By taking part in the Aberdeen Abseil, you can help us make amazing things happen for people with Down’s syndrome living in Scotland.
How we will support you?
When you sign up to abseil for us, you will receive:
Take your support to new heights and Zipslide 1000 ft across the Clyde!
This exhilarating and unique challenge allows you to Zipslide from beside the multi-award winning Riverside Museum located on the banks of the River Clyde on Saturday 30th August 2025.
You will be elevated 100 ft in the air and then released to sore through the air for 1000 ft whilst taking in the sights and sounds around Scotland’s most famous river.
Places are limited for this adrenaline-filled challenge, which offers a truly unique and thrilling way to see Glasgow’s cityscape while raising vital funds for people with Down’s syndrome in Scotland.
We’re asking all our participants to promise to raise as much as they can in sponsorship plus registration is now free. We will provide all the support you need to help you meet and beat your fundraising goal.
When: Saturday 30 August 2025
Where: Riverside Museum, Glasgow
Sponsorship: Raise as much as you can
By taking part in Scotland’s Big Zipslide, you can help us make amazing things happen for people with Down’s syndrome living in Scotland.