What is it:
The Buddy Walk® is a worldwide walk in which anyone can participate without special training. The Buddy walk has grown from 17 walks in 1995 around the USA to 260 walks all around the world. It began in Australia by Foundation 21 in Adelaide and the event is now being held in Sydney and Perth as well as Brisbane this year, with Melbourne coming on board next year.

Please stay tuned for information on the 2009 Buddy Walk or find out how you can become involved!

The goal of the buddy walk is three fold:

• To promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome;

• To raise funds necessary to develop innovative and effectuve programs;   

• To enhance the position of the Down sydrome community, enabling us to positively influence local and national policy and practice

When is it:

The Buddy Walk will coincide with Down Syndrome Awareness Week in October.

Who’s Your Buddy:

The Buddy Walk was developed in 1995 in the USA by the National Down Syndrome Society to celebrate Down syndrome awareness month in October and to provide an annual public platform for advocacy. It brings together people with Down syndrome and their invited "buddies" – every-one from friends and family to teachers, politicians, celebrities, sports stars and co-workers – to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome and to raise funds for education, research and advocacy programs.

Become a Hero -

DSAQ is now registered with "Everyday Hero" - an organisation whose mission is to connect people with the charities and causes they care about to increase overall giving.

This year DSAQ has decided to concentrate on awareness raising rather than charge registration fees or run a formal sponsorship drive for the Buddy Walk.

If however you would like to fundraise while participating in the Buddy Walk you can now do so by visiting the Everyday Hero website and setting up your own Buddy Walk Hero page.

The Buddy Walk is registered as an official event with Everyday Hero so all you need to do is select QLD as your chosen state and follow the instructions. If you need any help feel free to contact the DSAQ office and we will be happy to guide you through the process.

This method of fundraising is becoming really popular as you don’t have to directly ask people for money - just send them the link and if they wish to support your efforts, they will.

Visit everydayhero.com.au or call the DSAQ office for further details.