Swansea City fan Eli stars in Hands Up for Down's video for Down Syndrome awareness month

Swansea City fan Eli Fisher starred in local charity Hands Up for Down’s video for Down’s Syndrome awareness month.

The young Swans fan – who is well known to supporters for taking penalties at half-time during matches at the Swansea.com Stadium – was joined by Kevin Johns on a football pitch as the two took part in a shootout with Eli in goals.

Eli was one of a number of children to star in the short film which is designed to show the individuality of the children who are supported by Hands Up for Down’s.

Eli’s mother, Sam Fisher, is the charity’s treasurer and one of the trustees and she was pleased that the charity has been able to create something so positive to help raise awareness of Down’s Syndrome in Swansea.

“It’s world Down’s Syndrome awareness month, and we made this film to be all about showing what kids can do,” she explained.

“It’s not about disability, it’s about ability and it shows what the children we work with can actually achieve when people have the patience and willingness to work in a different way.

“Hopefully we can raise tons of awareness about Down’s Syndrome and promote inclusion because our children are awesome.

“I think society can sometimes generalise about particular disabilities so it might be assumed that because someone has Down’s Syndrome that that defines them, but what this really shows is that what is important to each of the children is so different. They are children who happen to have Down’s Syndrome.”

Eli is a huge Swansea City fan travelling home and away to support the team and lived out his dream when he saved a penalty against Kevin in the film wearing the 2022-23 goalkeeper kit.

“I cannot praise Swansea City enough,” Sam added.

“They’ve just been amazing. From the DSA to the players, to the way the club promotes inclusiveness and Down’s Syndrome awareness.

“To say Eli’s obsessed with football and the Swans would be a huge understatement. To get him into school uniform is usually difficult, because he always wants to be in Swans kit.

“Eli’s got a great relationship with Kev but I would never have expected this much support from a football club.”