Cumbria Down’s Syndrome Support Group will bring the community together to celebrate the Royal wedding.  

On Saturday 19 May, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will say “I do” at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle in what will be a nationwide celebration.  

Meanwhile in Bitts Park, Carlisle’s very own party will be taking place to mark the Royal occasion. Cumbria Down’s Syndrome Support Group (Cumbria DSSG) has organised a day of festivities for the community to unite in and come together to celebrate.  

Taking place from 10am – 4pm, the Party in the Park is a free event, with a meaningful motive behind it. Support groups from across the county and further afield will all come together to promote positivity around Down Syndrome and other disabilities.  

Cristina Bowman of Cumbria DSSG explained: “It’s just trying to bring all the different groups together and promoting positivity around disability. We’re all people at the end of the day.”  

She continued: “We’re hoping it will be a really inclusive event, that there will be a few nice stalls, everyone will bring a picnic and have a nice time.” 

While partygoers tuck into their picnics and enjoy an ice-cream from The Cumbria Whippy Man, they can enjoy inclusive activities, including a performance from an additional support needs theatre group. Prism Arts will be organising a ‘walk of art’, inviting everyone to contribute a drawing to a large sheet of material, resulting in a unique, piece of community art. And in keeping with the Royal theme, there’s a prize up for grabs for the best fancy-dress Prince and Princess.  

Various charity stalls will be there on the day, with appearances from the Happy Mums Foundation, Mind and Cumbria CVS among others. Meanwhile a cake stall and a raffle will be raising funds for Cumbria DSSG.  

Cristina added: “I’m just hoping that everybody gets together, regardless of ability or disability, that’s what all this is about.  

“I think it’s important to hold events like these, to bring the community together as one, so that we don’t see people’s differences, we don’t see disability, we see everybody’s ability, everybody’s best side.”

For more information visit www.cdssg.net or @CumbriaDSSG on Facebook.