Express News Downside Up 21 July 2011 Improving the quality of life for Russian children with Down syndrome

Riding Together to Red Square!

Test your bike. Join a group of people who cycled 176 km in two days to support children with Down syndrome. Meet a gold medal winner at Special Olympics in Shanghai and Athens. There is a real possibility for all this! All you have to do is come to Novodevichy Convent at 10.30 am on Sunday 28th August and take part in Red Square Bike Ride finish line. You will have a unique opportunity to make a thrilling bike race across the historical centre of Moscow. There won’t be a single car on your way! You will have the entire section of the embankment from Novodevichy to Red Square to yourselves, no other traffic will be allowed. On your way you will pass. Frunzenskaya embankment, Gorky Park, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, a monument to Peter the Great, Kremlin embankment, and, finally, ride into Red Square where you will be greeted by Charity Bike Ride fans and families of children with Down syndrome. After the finish there will be a celebration with participation of TV stars and pop celebrities, and a raffle with prizes. By 15th July 2011 6,680,000.000 rubles (approx. 168 143.00 Euro) have been transferred to Downside Up by bike ride participants. Join us to help further our cause! A charitable contribution in the sum of 1000 rubles can be made in advance online by your bank card (in interface in English or in Russian). You can also make your donation in cash on the day of the mass participation ride. We are waiting you at Red Square Bike Ride finish line! But do not forget your helmet! On 7th August we are organizing a velopokatoushka (a one day cycling trip) for mass participation race riders. Cycle with us across the Moscow region scenic areas. Spend a great day in the countryside, enjoy pleasing views, swim in a lake and have lunch in the open air. Two experienced cycling instructors will help us overcome any difficulties. Downside Up may provide you with bikes and helmets for the trip, just let us know if you need ones in advance. Send your questions to Ksenia Chernyavskaya and register at veloprobeg2011@downsideup.org.

New Use for Old Things

No more room on the bookshelf for complete edition of Akunin’s works? Do not feel like having a hundredth home theatre watch of the Matrix? Bring us the books and CDs you don’t want! Your old things will acquire new lives and new owners. This summer Downside Up will host a charity book and CD sale in aid of children with Down syndrome. Books and CDs can be delivered to Downside Up office at 10am - 8pm on weekdays, sent by mail or brought to the Picnic festival organised by "Afisha". We promise to tell you at what charitable event your book or CD was sold and what the money went for. P.S. Come to the Picnic festival hosted by “Afisha” on 23rd July at Kolomenskoye. At 12.00-22.00 there will be an open air concert attended by top Russian and foreign groups. Festival guests will feast on nonalcoholic mojito and paella, do good and feel good. To find us, look for the sign «Благотворительность как часть жизни» (Charity as Part of Your Life) near the main stage.

How you can help?