‘Happiness can cure anything’ – local man inspired by viral video

A LOCAL man has started a fundraising page after being inspired by a viral video of 50 mums with their children, who have Down’s syndrome, singing to Christina Perri’s ‘A Thousand Years’.

The viral video saw 50 mums with their children signing to popular song, ‘A Thousand Years’ performed using Makaton, a form of sign language that is designed for people with speech problems, particularly those with Down’s syndrome. It was made as part of a campaign by ‘Wouldn’t Change a Thing’ to raise awareness for 2018 World Down’s Syndrome Day and it  has plucked at the heartstrings of thousands of people across the country including Westbury man, Neil Martin.

Neil has set up a gofundme page in order to raise money to give to charities who help support children with Down’s syndrome and their families.

He said, “I started it as I thought the video, the story the mums and children were all so happy, they just put everyone to shame in the fact that we all moan about our lives, yet these people were happy, laughing and making my life better – it made me smile, it made me want to do something.

“I have no connection to anyone with Down’s syndrome at all, but I am in a wheelchair and guilty of moaning about my life, or I was guilty, but this story has made me re-think my own life and made me realise you can be happy and in a wheelchair.

“My initial thought was to treat these beautiful families to a small holiday break, but Jamie McCallum, the creator of the video, suggested a Down’s syndrome charity, but I would leave that to each person within the video.

“I also hope to hold fundraising events, I’ve even thought about starting a group up where mums could meet. I am also thinking of holding coffee mornings and raffles or maybe even a ball. I just think these people can teach others that happiness can cure anything, happiness is something that has inspired me and I’m sure many many others as well, so let’s make this happen!”

If you, like Neil feel inspired and you would like to help raise vital funds for Down syndrome charities you can donate via www.gofundme.com/50-mums-50-kids-need-a-holiday. You can watch the video ‘50 mums, 50 children, 1 extra chromosome’ via www.youtube.com/ watch?time_continue=50&v=Biex1XR_mpo