EuroWire March 2025

Corporate News

AWI delivers birthday present to children’s charity A support group for children with Down Syndrome and their families has received a tenth birthday present from Alloy Wire International (AWI). Up and Downs, which was formed as a charity by Diane Hughes and Jemma Sagar has become the latest beneficiary of the company’s “Wired for Good” campaign, which has donated more than £55,000 to a range of local community groups and organisations. The latest £5,000 donation will make a great difference to the group, which provides more than 60 families across Birmingham, the Black Country and Worcestershire (UK) with access to peer to-peer support and subsidised activities that a child with Down Syndrome may not get in a mainstream setting. The group can also offer heavily subsidised training, with Ms Sagar being a qualified tutor in Makaton – a system that uses hand gestures and symbols alongside speech and written words to support communication. Many of the children will have communication difficulties, so introducing them to signing at a young age is crucial, as is involving parents and grandparents. Ms Hughes commented, “Like lots of charities, we were hit hard during the pandemic and we had to give up our office due to rising costs, and sadly had to cancel some of the big events

we had planned.” Ms Sagar added, “Thankfully we now have our hub at a great dance studio and this money from Alloy Wire International will help us subsidise some of the fantastic activities we’ve got arranged.” Tom Mander, managing director of AWI, said, “Up and Downs gives so many families a vital lifeline to work through the challenges they face and, importantly, the opportunity to enjoy so many new opportunities. We always like to fund charities close to where our staff live and work. We also know this £5,000 is going to make such a difference. It’s also fitting that a group just a few miles from our factory is our tenth Wired for Good recipient.” Alloy Wire International www.alloywire.com Up and Downs www.facebook.com/upanddownswm (From left) Diane Hughes, Sam Jennings, Tom Mander (AWI), Harry Sagar and Jemma Sagar

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March 2025