Gingerbread Sock Appeal
1149. Emma Harris
Emma Harris, aged 15, from Cheshire, launched the gingerbread sock appeal in 2016 to coincide with World Down Syndrome Day and has each year sold thousands of sock-shaped biscuits to raise funds and awareness for ‘Cheshire Down’s Syndrome Support Group’.
The worldwide symbol for Down’s Syndrome is the sock and Emma, who herself has Down’s Syndrome, was inspired to use this symbol as part of her fundraising idea. Working with a local bakery, Emma sold over 30,000 sock biscuits in 2018 to school children and businesses across Cheshire. Emma’s appeal has allowed her local charity ‘Cheshire Down’s Syndrome Support Group’ to grow and support 100 individuals with Down’s Syndrome and to deliver awareness day assemblies in over 40 schools, reaching more than 10,000 school children. Emma’s award coincides with World Down Syndrome Day.
In a personal letter to Emma, Prime Minister Theresa May said:
“Through your gingerbread sock appeal you have created an innovative way of raising funds and awareness for ‘Cheshire Down’s Syndrome Support Group’. It is especially important, on World Down Syndrome Day, to recognise the positive impact of what you are doing and I wish you well with this year’s appeal.”
Julie Duff, Chief Executive of ‘Cheshire Down’s Syndrome Support Group’, said:
“We’re so proud of Emma and what she has achieved. The gingerbread sock biscuit campaign has been hugely successful and has helped to raise funds for our charity and awareness of Down’s syndrome in Cheshire. Our charity motto is ‘Unlocking potential’ and Emma has certainly shown her full potential. She’s a very worthy award winner.”
Emma said:
“I am really happy and proud to be given this award by the Prime Minister. Selling the gingerbread sock biscuits means that ‘Cheshire Down’s Syndrome Support Group’ can help people with Down’s syndrome and their families. We are selling more gingerbread socks than ever this year! Thank you for the award.”