SINCE last summer Sam Pierce has flown a plane, driven a steam train and taken a speedboat down the Thames.
It’s all part of a series of challenges intended to demonstrate having Down’s Syndrome doesn’t have to hold people back from achieving their ambitions.
Sam, 30, from Toothill, made Adver headlines when he dressed up as essential workers during the pandemic lockdown to thank them for their efforts. His latest challenges were to raise awareness for Down’s Syndrome and raise funds for the Swindon Down’s Syndrome Society.
They were timed to be completed just in time for World Down’s Syndrome Day today.
With the help of his mother Leslye Russell-Pierce and her partner Jon, he came face-to-face with a menagerie of animals like snakes, falcons and he even fed a penguin.
He conquered the earth, water and air by flying a light aircraft, a helicopter, doing laps of Castle Combe in a classic car, driving a steam train, riding a jet-ski and driving a speedboat.
He did a shift at Asda, worked on a stall at Steam and spent three nights at a pop-up cafe.
As well as that he braved the country’s fastest zip-line, all of the rides at Thorpe Park, walked over the 02 arena in London, surfed at Bristol’s artificial surfing attraction, conducted the Brunel Brass band playing a piece of music they wrote for him, fought in a boxing match and played football with Swindon Town’s first team.
“We’ve always tried to give Sam the chances to do anything. If it fails it fails, it’s chance for him to have a go at so many things,” Leslye explained
“He didn’t like the falconry and surfing. I’ve never seen anyone get out of the water as fast as he did. But he’s willing to give things a go.
“Another mum once said to me, sometimes the only limitations on our kids are the limitations we put on them.
“And she’s right, so we wanted to show the rest of the world the same ethos. Why restrict them.”
Sam’s sterling efforts have already raised £4,965 and earned him a nomination for the Pride of Swindon awards.
“I can’t thank everyone enough for everything they’ve done to help with this, and for all of their support,” Leslye added.
To donate to his fundraiser visit the JustGiving link here.
or to offer Sam another challenge to try, email Sam_challenge21@outlook.com
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