Downside Up Express News
In this issue:
Children New Centre Diva Opera Ski Race Bike Ride
Early Intervention Centre News

Record number of children in DSU!
In March 2004 we are happy to report that the number of children registered with Downside Up has reached 428! 42 new families have joined our programmes since November 2003: 15 of them are from Moscow, 27 families are from the Moscow region and other regions of Russia.

Outreach activities
Since November 2003 Downside Up specialists have carried out 10 seminars and training sessions for the staff of kindergartens and rehabilitation centres, social workers, medical students, maternity hospital staff and parents.

Two new publications have been issued by Downside Up specialists:
 Manual for parents - a collection of articles by Downside Up specialists;
"Motor Development of your child" brochure for parents.
New Home for Downside Up
To date we have raised $260 000 for the new Early Intervention Centre in Krylatskoye. We would like to thank all the 270 individual donors and the 15 companies and trusts who have contributed and pledged funds. It is more than a half of what we need to move into the new centre.
Meanwhile we are in the process of getting the relevant permissions from the Moscow authorities to start construction of the first floor. We aim to open the New Centre in 2005. To reach our target we still need to raise $140 000. Please support us by donating on-line or using the other options.

More about the New Home Appeal...
Diva Opera sings for Downside Up guests

DIVA OPERA (one of Britain's most highly acclaimed chamber opera companies, with an unrivalled reputation in presenting opera to the highest possible musical and artistic standards) will give its only performance in Moscow on May the 20th 2004 at the residence of the British Ambassador. We have great pleasure in inviting you to join us for a performance of Rossini's La Cenerentola. All proceeds from this event will go towards the renovation of Downside Up's new Early Intervention Centre for Russian children with Down syndrome. The sponsors have underwritten all expenses of the event and therefore all the money raised from ticket sales will go directly to the new centre. Tickets cost $150 and include drinks and a buffet supper. However they are limited so book early.
For ticket information and to make a reservation please contact Irina Menshenina or Sieta Sijperda at 959-4979, tel./fax 951-0079, or e-mail irinam@downsideup.org
Photograph by Hilary Shedel © 2004
Charity Cross Country Ski Race
The first Downside Up Charity Ski Race took place on Saturday February 14th in Krasnogorsk. About a hundred participants including representatives of such companies as TNT Express, The Moscow Times, AIG Lincoln and others as well as individual supporters enjoyed skiing on a sunny winter weekend, had traditional shashlyik, "kasha" made in a Russian military 'field' kitchen and mulled wine for lunch. Special congratulations go to all the winners in the team relay rally and the individual short and long distance run! As part of a news broadcast from the Ski Russian Championships, a special report on the Charity Ski Race could be watched afterwards on one of NTV's morning programmes.

Most of the event expenses were paid thanks to the support of TNT Express! Our thanks and appreciation goes to all the companies and individuals for their in-kind help! We are sincerely grateful to all the individual participants of the Race! Through everybody's efforts we raised over 13 000 USD which will be directed towards rehabilitation programmes for children with Down syndrome.
Click here to view the photos of the Charity Ski Race 2004.

Red Square Bike Ride 2004: more adventures, more comfort, more fun!

DOWNSIDE UP's 9th Annual Charity Red Square Bike will take place on August 26th - 29th 2004. Traditionally, the route is in the north of the Moscow region. NEW! This year a section of the route will go through forest. However, those less ambitious riders will be able to choose an easier and less challenging route. Another change of this coming bike ride is that we will be staying at the same hotel at the end of your daytime adventures. This will save us the hassle of settling into a new hotel every night and will give you more time to socialize and rest.

We provide great benefits for sponsoring companies! We invite private individuals to join us! Please contact us for more information about the Red Square Bike Ride 2004 at downsideup@downsideup.org , tel.: (095) 959-4979, (095) 951-0079

Click here for more info on the website and to see photo reports of the previous bike rides.



Improving the quality of life for Russian children with Down syndrome

Russia: 15 Ozerkovsky Pereulok, Moscow 115184, Tel./fax: +7 (095) 951 0079,
e-mail: downsideup@downsideup.org
UK: 28 Mysore Road, London SW11 5SB, Tel./fax: +44 (0) 20 7223-1013, e-mail: v.garrett@btopenworld.com
for information about Downside Up and Down syndrome, visit www.downsideup.org

Downside Up is the operating name of Downside Up Limited, a registered UK charity no. 1055087, registered UK address above, registered company no. 3026295, and of Russian Charitable Fund no. 67698