This fun and inspiring story comes from Amanda D., a 3q29 Foundation volunteer and mom to a child with 3q29 deletion syndrome in the U.K. Thanks for sharing, Amanda!

And as always, thank you for your support.

Maxwell’s Fun Farewell Day

(As told by Amanda)

On 18th July, the day before school is officially 'out for summer' my son’s school agreed to hold a 3q29 Foundation Charity day. It didn't take long to persuade the headmaster for this to take place. 

Maxwell (11 years old) has the microdeletion and is a total charmer. He calls all the ladies that look after him his 'princesses' and the male teachers are all 'sir'. He is also quick to tell them all how much he loves them—always helpful when you have a fundraising idea you need to float!

Maxwell’s nanna came up with a great idea. For the school’s 3q29 Foundation Charity day, his fellow pupils would be invited to come into school with an item of uniform 'missing' (like the missing bit of 3q29 genetic material associated with the deletion) and replaced with something different. 

The children had so much fun doing this! Some came in with odd socks and some replaced school summer dresses with party dresses. And there were a lot of Taylor Swift t-shirts! 

Maxwell wanted to wear his Arsenal football shirt. For his sisters, we decided to let them write on white t-shirts all the many fantastic things about their brother they could think of, and about how having a disability doesn't stop you from being great. They really enjoyed doing this and showing off their shirts proudly to their friends! 

Even the teachers got involved with some mismatched earrings and shoes! It was very heartwarming to see everyone coming into school in their outfits. 

The fundraising aspect was very simple. The school asked for donations for the day (however big or small) and set up the charity on the school online payment system. Once the day was over they transferred the funds directly to the foundation. 

We are a small school (210 pupils) yet we managed to raise £877.00 which we were blown away with. We know that however much we raised it would be greatly appreciated and put to good use, supporting a cause so close to our hearts.

If you have a personal story you’d like to share, please email Jessica@3q29.org.