Flamingo Chicks To Fly Out On Monday To Address Global Partnership Summit

A group of young disabled dancers will be heading across the Atlantic next week to address the United Nations Global Partnership Summit in New York.

The inspirational youngsters, members of Flamingo Chicks in Bristol will be jetting across the pond for the once in a lifetime trip on Monday.

Flamingo Chicks is an inclusive group dedicated to allowing children with disabilities and illness the opportunity to enjoy ballet classes alongside their friends,

The incredible visit is being funded by law firm Irwin Mitchell which sponsors the 1,200 child strong initiative and works closely with the Community Interest Company.

The visit follows the publication of a UN report revealing 38 per cent of parents of disabled children feel their child rarely or never has the opportunity to socialise and mix with children who aren’t disabled.

Eleri Davies, a specialist solicitor at Irwin Mitchell’s Bristol office helps children who have suffered from medical negligence to access support for their rehabilitation and recovery from their injuries.

She said: “The statistics revealed by the UN are really moving. The fact that so many children are denied the opportunity to socialise with other kids who aren’t disabled is worrying in terms of ensuring they can live in an integrated society.

“Flamingo Chicks is breaking those boundaries. It is so much more than a ballet school. It is a growing movement of people wanting changes to be made in the way society treats disabled children.

“These children are vivacious, talented and inspiring. We are so proud of everything they do and thrilled they will experience this amazing opportunity to address the UN.

“It is a real privilege to help them experience this adventure.”

The trip comes as Irwin Mitchell nears the first anniversary of its Don’t Quit Do It campaign, an initiative designed to help motivate and inspire disabled people to get involved in new activities, be active and independent.

As well as Flamingo Chicks, the firm sponsors several disability sports teams as part of its campaign; including The Middlesbrough Powerchair Football Club, North East Bulls Wheelchair Rugby Club, England Amputee Football Association and Portsmouth Amputee Football Club.

The group of six children from the Bristol branch of Flamingo Chicks will be speaking under the headline Peace is Possible, with each child taking a turn to speak or sign.

A video of the young dancers and the work of Flamingo Chicks’ outreach projects in Ghana and refugee camps in Greece will be shown to the assembly.

Katherine Sparkes – Founder of Flamingo Chicks says, “For our Flamingo Chicks to get the chance to speak on such a prestigious global platform - at the United Nations in New York City - is a dream come true. We are so grateful to all the people who’ve supported us to make this possible. We are determined to make a big impact and elicit real social change”.