According to recent statistics, less than five percent of people with Down Syndrome in Ireland are in full-time employment today.

That’s a staggering eighty percent less than the amount employed in Washington DC. In order to boost this figure, Down Syndrome Ireland has launched Millennial of the Year, a new fundraising campaign. It aims to give millennials with Down Syndrome access to meaningful job opportunities and there's a target of €100,000 in place. Those taking part in the campaign will aim to raise as much money as they can over the next four months with their individual target coming in at €1,000. While doing so they will compete against each other in five different categories:

• who can raise the most money
• who can raise the money in the quickest time
• who can raise the most awareness for the charity
• who can do all this in the most innovative way
• who documents their journey in the best way online

The participant who shines in all of the above categories will be crowned Ireland's Millennial of the Year 2018. Irish international rugby stars Dan Leavy and Rory Scannell helped launch the campaign yesterday and both will sit on the 10-person judging panel alongside CEO of Down Syndrome Ireland, Gary Owens, the Minister of Disability Issues, Finian McGrath and RTE’s Shay Byrne. Those who take part in the fundraiser will be invited to an exclusive closing ceremony, The Millennial Ball, taking place in the Mansion House on November 24, 2018. You can get involved here if you fancy the challenge, good luck!