A special day in the Charlton calendar – when they mix it with the Upbeats

Charlton Athletic’s first-team footballer were joined by members of the Charlton Upbeats for a training session on Wednesday morning to mark World Down’s Syndrome Day.

The Charlton Upbeats is a specific programme for children and adults with Down’s syndrome and about 170 young people are registered to it, with 40 regular attendees every week.

Addicks boss Nathan Jones led a seven-a-side match against the Upbeats, joining Alfie May, George Dobson, Panutche Camará, Rarmani Edmonds-Green, Terry Taylor and Lucas Ness in taking on players from the Charlton Athletic Community Trust’s (CACT) much-loved Down’s syndrome programme.

The Upbeats are funded entirely by donations – every year, a Charlton matchday is dedicated to the Upbeats with supporters encouraged to donate to the cause.

Before the Addicks’ game against Shrewsbury Town on April 20, a nine-mile charity walk will take place from the training ground to the club’s stadium, The Valley, with walkers sponsored to take part, raising donations to help raise the target £35,000 – last year a record £49,000 was raised.

On the pitch before the first-team game, the Upbeats will also be playing their own game against an equivalent Down’s Syndrome team from Everton.

After watching the first-team training session on Wednesday, the Upbeats were able to join in and get tips from the players and Jones, before being put through their paces in a keenly-contested match against their heroes.

Charlton Manager Nathan Jones said: “It was great to meet them. They’re a great group and they’ve really lifted the place. It was great to have them here.

“We have such a good community trust and the Upbeats is just a facet of it. It’s a wonderful community club and we want to make sure we continue that because community is at the heart of everything that we do here.”

The Addicks’ 25-goal striker Alfie May said: “It was really fun. They gave us a good game. You could see the smile on their faces and how much it meant to them. I don’t think I needed to give them many tips – they’re striking of the ball was incredible.”

CACT’s disability and mental health manager, Terry Peart said: “Every year we’re invited to get involved with the players and, yet again, they’ve been absolutely brilliant.

“Nathan and the boys jumped in to have a small-sided game and it means so much to them – to be near their heroes and to be part of the club.

“From year one of the programme, we can’t credit the fans enough. They come out in their droves and support the Upbeats initiative. Over the years it’s grown massively and they know how important it is to the Community Trust and the club to showcase what great work we do, so it’s brilliant to have their support.”

Pictured top: A group shot of first-team players and Upbeats regulars (All Pictures: Rhea Spencer-Newell )