CHARITABLE Halesowen choir members have given their backing to a thriving support group for down syndrome children and their families.

Lutley Community Voices has chosen Up and Downs – a group launched in 2012 by Halesowen mum Jemma Sagar – as its charity of the year.

The choir have offered their support for the group after one of its members gave a presentation highlighting the help the group had given their son’s best friend.

Up and Downs currently meets on the second Sunday of each month at Quinton Methodist Church, putting on fun activities which also help the children with things they may struggle with, whether physically, mentally or socially.

The fundraising helps provide a qualified speech and language therapist who takes weekly sessions with the children, as well as a sign language teacher.

The choir performed in a recent event held at the Ridgeway Avenue as part of down syndrome day which raised £1,000.