A PALACE ANTHEM. REIMAGINED.

The DS Eagles, our Down’s Syndrome football team, have recorded a powerful cover of the iconic Palace hit Glad All Over to raise awareness, challenge outdated assumptions about disability and work, and raise vital funds for young people in south London. This was all as part of the DS GAME ON programme, a new project that combines our DS Eagles work with our flagship employment programme, GAME ON.

With this campaign, we’re asking Palace fans to get behind the campaign and show their support with donations that will help open doors for people with Down’s Syndrome and others facing barriers to employment.

WHY THIS MATTERS

With this special cover version, the DS Eagles are cementing their own place in Crystal Palace history.

But why did they do it? In the documentary above, we take deep dive into what recording the song was like, hear from the Palace players involved and the coaches who make life-changing programmes for young people with disabilities happen.

Too many young people in south London are struggling to find work. In Croydon, more 16–17-year-olds are not in education, employment or training than almost anywhere else in London.

And for those with disabilities like Down’s Syndrome, the barriers are even higher, like limited opportunities to outdated views about what’s possible.

Research shows that most people with learning disabilities want to work, but fewer than 2 in 10 have a job. With this campaign, we’re challenging that.

Even £5, less than the price of a pint, could make a difference. Or give a little more to help someone take a bigger step towards work.

ABOUT THE DS EAGLES AND GAME ON

Our DS Eagles aren’t just a football team. This year, they took part in DS GAME ON – a year-long Palace for Life course helping people with Down’s Syndrome build skills and confidence for the workplace, partially funded by the Premier League and Professional Footballers Association.

They trained as baristas, explored careers in caring and cooking, and even recorded and produced their own track, the one you’ll hear on this page.

Their journey shows what’s possible when people are given the chance.

Last year, our wider GAME ON programme supported 164 young people across south London. With your help, we can do even more.

We’re always on the lookout for businesses to support with work experience for our participants. If this is something you can support with, please reach out here.

To donate to the campaign, please click the button below. Or to find out more about our GAME ON programme, click here. And for our DS Eagles, head here.