Manchester United have partnered with Cheshire-based sock company Stand Out Socks to produce a celebratory design to promote World Down Syndrome Day.
Tuesday, March 21, marks the occasion, with United selling the limited edition socks in their Megastore for the past 10 days. Proceeds are being handed to the charity Positive About Down Syndrome, which offers informational help to families and maternity units about the condition through its book, #NobodyToldMe.
Down Syndrome is caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21. The Stand Out Socks design includes 20 pairs of Manchester worker bees with an extra golden pair being the 21st.
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The Stand Out Socks were inspired by Ross Laing, who lives with the condition. Like so many with Down Syndrome, the 35-year-old had struggled to find work so his older brother of four years, Christian, created a company in which Ross would not only be able to work but be a central part of the operation.
Both brothers are Manchester United supporters and they are delighted that the club they love has partnered with them for World Down Syndrome Day. They said: “As lifelong Manchester United fans, this is dream come true.
"This opportunity presents spreading the awareness of Down Syndrome far and wide while celebrating World Down Syndrome Day with the biggest club in world football.”
Christian added: "In October 2021, Stand Out Socks was born out of the back of our parent’s industrial unit. We scraped what little money we had together and launched our website www.standoutsocks.co.uk with only three sock designs.
“Less than 18 months on, we could have never imagined we'd be in Old Trafford, standing in front of the Sir Alex Ferguson stand, launching an exclusive pair of Stand Out Socks with Manchester United to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day.
“For Manchester United to believe in who we are, our message of inclusion, and the alternative futures we are trying to create means absolutely everything."
Richard Thornton, Head of Buying at Manchester United, said: “The moment Stand Out Socks approached us we were excited to work with them and help spread their message of positivity and how capable people with Downs Syndrome are in the workplace.
“The brand has been fantastic to work with, both on a professional and personal level and we are proud to work with them in the run-up to World Down Syndrome Day on March 21, 2023.
“We will be donating all profits to the fantastic charity: Positive About Down Syndrome. We are proud to stock Stand Out Socks in our megastore and we know our fans will come out in force to support this worthwhile venture.”
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