A young girl from Saundersfoot passionate about ending discrimination against disabilities whilst at the same time fundraising for the cause, is holding her first charity event this weekend.
Amelia McBeth and her brother Wilson from Saundersfoot, will be hosting their first official fundraising event this month in aid of the charity ‘Follow Your Dreams’.
Fourteen-year-old Amelia who attends Ysgol Preseli Crymych has with the help of her three-year-old brother Wilson (who attends Ysgol Hafan Y Mor in Tenby with his siblings) organised the event called ‘T21 - picnic in the park’ to take place at Pembrey Country Park on Sunday (August 18) from 11.30 am to 3.30 pm (weather permitting) for families of children with disabilities, as somewhere they can meet up, see new faces and make new friends, but everyone is welcome to attend.
‘Follow Your Dreams’ is a national charity operating in England and Wales that inspires children and young people with learning disabilities to follow their dreams.
Despite two of her brothers having disabilities, Amelia says that people only tend to notice Wilson’s - as Down syndrome is more visible - hence the name of the picnic T21 which stands for Trisomy 21 - the medical term/definition of Down syndrome.
“I have two brothers who happen to have disabilities, so I know how difficult and hard it can be for my mum to make genuine friends face to face instead of hiding behind a screen,” explained Amelia.
“Ted is seven years old and has an incomplete chromosome which means he has quite a few issues that affect his day to day living and health, whilst Wilson is only three and has Down syndrome.”
Amelia helps raise awareness of issues through her brother Wilson’s Facebook page ‘Wilson - pretty fly for a small guy’ as well as on Instagram page
“By Wilson having his own Facebook page and Instagram account it’s hoped that people can see Down syndrome a bit differently and help lose the old fashioned stigmas and outdated images that surrounds it,” continued Amelia.
“It’s the first time I’ve done anything like this event and I’m trying to do this off my own back.
“I wanted to give everyone the opportunity to attend and that’s why I’m hosting the event away from home, and Pembrey Country Park seemed like a great place to do this, as I want it to be an informal picnic where people can come and go but have a base to return.
“My mum has helped me contact people and groups, and we have managed to arrange lots of things for the day,” she continued.
“Despite the informal picnic feel we still have some amazing people join us - we have a great magician Paul Cornish doing walkabout magic to open the picnic, and the fantastic ‘Isabella Signs’ coming to show everyone basic signing as lots of children with disabilities are non verbal.
“Also on site all day will be Pegasus Ambulance services who will be allowing people to see their collection of emergency vehicles and have a photo or two.
“There will be cakes and drinks, raffle, face painting and hair braiding, before the event ends with award-winning magician Dave Hitchcott and a surprise or two!
“Sadly we have been let down by a balloon modeller so if anyone can help me out that would be amazing too!” said Amelia.
Tickets can be bought on the day or in advance through the fundraising page at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sara-mcbeth1 (which can also be found on Wilson’s Facebook page).
People have donated some amazing prizes for the day that will be up for grabs through a raffe.
“It’s an afternoon not to be missed, and all money raised on the day will go direct to the charity ‘Follow Your Dreams’ so I hope as many people as possible will support the event on the day so we can raise a lot of money for this fantastic charity,” added Amelia.