Alexandra, the young girl who helps with the running of the Upbeats team / scheme, won Volunteer of the Year at the Pride of Sport awards at Grovesnor House last month.
"And across the river from the academy, in Charlton, south London, is where the impact made by volunteer of the year, Alexandra Goldstone, can be seen.
The Canterbury University student is the cornerstone of Charlton Athletic’s ‘Charlton Upbeats’ project, allowing children of all ages with Down’s syndrome to enjoy the beautiful game.
She took her younger brother to his first Upbeats session in 2008 and now makes a 120-mile round trip every Saturday to take the training herself, using her self-taught sign language to support those with hearing impairments.
To continue her love affair with Charlton, Alexandra has even turned down paid work.
Carl Krauhaus, disability and mental health officer at the club, said: “Her level of commitment has quite literally blown us away and we feel Alexandra is a special individual who shows maturity and understanding beyond her years.”
Comments
Well deserved, I'm sure .
The Canterbury University student is the cornerstone of Charlton Athletic’s ‘Charlton Upbeats’ project, allowing children of all ages with Down’s syndrome to enjoy the beautiful game.
She took her younger brother to his first Upbeats session in 2008 and now makes a 120-mile round trip every Saturday to take the training herself, using her self-taught sign language to support those with hearing impairments.
To continue her love affair with Charlton, Alexandra has even turned down paid work.
Carl Krauhaus, disability and mental health officer at the club, said: “Her level of commitment has quite literally blown us away and we feel Alexandra is a special individual who shows maturity and understanding beyond her years.”