DOWNS and Special Friends

26/07/2026

14/12/2025

Proud moment, proper proud.

and his mates have stepped up and sponsored the Super Eagles football team and they chose to wear the DOWNS and Special Friends logo on their shirts 💛🖤⚽

This is what inclusion looks like without shouting about it. Kids supporting kids. Football doing what football does best, bringing people together.

Seeing our DNSF logo out on the pitch, worn with pride, means more than words can explain. It represents friendship, belonging, and a community that looks after its own 🤝

Massive respect to Mo and the boys. You’ve shown that age has nothing to do with impact. Legends in the making 👏🔥

💛⚽

Mo Ravat Akhtar Kasia

06/11/2025

🌟 Something Beautiful to Share 🌟

Sometimes kindness comes from places you least expect. We’ve just received some wonderful news from BW Legal, who chose Downs and Special Friends as one of the charities they supported in October.

Their amazing team raised funds to help us continue our work with children, young people and adults with additional needs. It means so much to see people outside our own community showing love and support for what we do.

Every penny helps us keep creating safe, joyful and inclusive spaces for our members and families. A huge thank you to everyone at BW Legal for believing in our cause and for making a real difference with their hearts and effort.

If your company or organisation would like to be part of this journey, we would love to hear from you. Together we can do even more good.

❤️ From all of us at DNSF, thank you.



DNSF TRUSTEES
Https://www.bwlegal.co.uk

09/06/2025

📢 *Calling all Batley, Dewsbury and surrounding area residents!*

The future of Batley Baths is in our hands, and we need your support!

Join DOWNS and Special Friends - DNSF for a special *PUBLIC EVENT* at

👍 Batley Market Square
👉 Saturday 28th June
🎯 4pm to 6pm

This is your chance to hear our plans, ask questions, and show the huge community backing for this vital project.

Can't make it in person? Or want to double down on your support? Please fill out our Batley Baths Support Card online.

It's a quick and powerful way to make your voice heard by Kirklees Council and our potential funders.

✍️ Get your Support Card here: https://forms.gle/J619XXhnMsANz2Mz8

Please share this far and wide with everyone you know in Batley – let's fill the market square and gather hundreds more pledges!

Together, we can bring Batley Baths back to life for everyone.

Let's show them Batley and Dewsbury means business!

22/05/2025

Thank you ❤️

02/05/2025

Asda is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year – and we are incredibly humbled and grateful to share that DOWNS and Special Friends (DNSF) has been chosen as one of their supporting charities.

As part of their celebrations, Asda has donated £1,000 to our cause and gifted us with thousands of pounds worth of arts, crafts, and sports equipment – items that will bring so much joy, stimulation, and enrichment to our children and young people.

We’re especially touched by their continued kindness and recognition. Our founder, Akhtar Kasia, was honoured with Asda’s Community Diamond Award – a reflection not just of his personal dedication, but of the journey we’ve all been on together to grow DNSF into the community it is today.

A heartfelt thank you to kingswood and the entire Asda Dewsbury team – your support has been vital since day one of our inception. You believed in us when we were just an idea. Your encouragement, generosity and partnership have made a lasting difference.

Here’s to Asda – 60 years of service, community, and care. May the next 60 shine even brighter. Thank you, from all of us at DNSF.

17/04/2025

A huge thank you to all our amazing DNSF families who joined us this morning at Tenpin Dewsbury!

What a fabulous morning it was – full of smiles, strikes, and surprises! We had 31 families come along, including 76 children and 43 adults, and the energy was just incredible.

Everyone enjoyed a fantastic game (or two!) of tenpin bowling, followed by a surprise treat – ice cream for all!

Your laughter, joy, and presence made it truly special. We can’t wait to see you at the next event!

16/04/2025

Zubeda’s on a mission – and she’s not alone!

On 27th April, Zubeda will be running the London Marathon to raise vital funds for something close to all our hearts – the Batley Baths Project, led by DOWNS and Special Friends.

It’s more than just a run – it’s a stride towards better health, stronger community spaces, and a revived Batley Baths that everyone can enjoy.

And she’s got fantastic support behind her – Sharon from Asda is backing the cause too! You might have seen her in our video, cheering Zubeda on. This is a community effort, and it starts with people like you.

Want to make a difference?
Donate whatever you can – every penny goes towards making Batley Baths a hub of wellness and belonging once again.

Feeling inspired by Zubeda and Sharon?
You don’t have to run a marathon to get involved. Host a bake sale, set up a donation jar at work, organise a street collection, or get your mates together for a fun fundraiser.

Every bit helps. Every action matters.
Let’s rally together and make this dream a reality.

Support Zubeda here:
https://2025tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/dnsf

15/04/2025

Batley, we need you! Khalid Chhibda is stepping up – quite literally – for a cause that matters: the Batley Baths Project, led by DOWNS and Special Friends.

On 27th April, Khalid is taking on the Manchester Marathon, pounding the pavements to raise funds for the revival of our beloved Batley Baths – a place that should be buzzing with community, not left in silence.

Every pound helps. Whether it’s £1 or £100, your donation will help breathe new life into a space that promotes health, wellbeing, and togetherness for Batley and beyond.

Feeling inspired?
Why not launch your own mini fundraiser? From cupcake stalls and lemonade stands to school collections and workplace challenges – every creative effort makes a difference.

Let’s do this together. Let’s bring Batley Baths back to life.

Donate to Khalid’s challenge here:
https://www.gofundme.com/manage/run-batley-run-khalids-challenge-for-good