By Princewill Ekwujuru

Rosabel Leo Burnett, Nigeria’s associate agency of Leo Burnett Worldwide (LBW) has for the second year running  partnering with the Down Syndrome Association of Nigeria (DSAN), the country’s sole charitable Foundation catering for the plight of children and adults living with Down Syndrome.

The decision of the agency to identify with the association was reached at its 30th Anniversary in 2008, as a way of giving back to the society and contributing to building up these special people whose health/social conditions are usually occasioned by genetic accidents.
In 2008, the Agency had made a donation of N3.7 million to the Association, which was raised via a fund_raising press campaign and substantial contributions by the Agency management and staff.

Apparently, this year,  in appreciation of the Agency’s initiative in 2008, the Association has chosen the Rosabel premises at Aromire Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos as the termination point for the 2009 Charity Walk, which is one of the activities planned for this year’s Awareness Week spanning October 3 to 11, 2009. The Walk, which started from the Sheraton Tower  coursing through Opebi and Allen Avenue, terminating at the Rosabel Court.

Virtually the entirety of the Agency’s staff, led by its Managing Director, Tunji Abioye, have volunteered to be part of the Walk, while it is also lending its professional resources to the Association towards the twin goal of using the Walk to create awareness and raise funds.

Last year, the charity walk commenced from  the NNPC Mega Station, Kingsway Road, Ikoyi and ended at the NTA Lagos premises on Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos. Amongst other benefits, this initiative by Rosabel was able to draw the support from its clients as well as media organizations, which helped to create massive awareness about the Association and the young people it caters for.

In related development, other reputable corporate organizations have been enlisted in this year’s Awareness Week. Such bodies include Julius Berger Nigeria Pic, DHL, Grange School, amongst others.
Also the parent body of the DSAN, the Down Syndrome Association of the United Kingdom was on hand to grace the occasion with their representative.