The Canterbury University student, first became aware of the project when she accompanied her younger brother – a Downs sufferer – to his first training session in 2008. Now, six years on, she is a cornerstone of the project – even turning down paid work to continue her love affair with the scheme.
Goldstone currently completes a round-trip of 120 miles every Satruday to deliver a 90 minute training session at the club’s training ground in Eltham, an effort which has blown away Carl Krauhaus, disability and mental health officer at Charlton.
“We assumed that she was 60 miles away from the training ground that we may lose her services during this period,” he said. “She has continued to drive a round trip of 120 miles every Saturday to deliver the 90 minute session at our training ground.
This level of commitment has quite literally blown us away and we feel that Alexandra is a special individual who show maturity and understanding beyond her years.”
Goldstone often works on a one-to-one basis with young children starting the programme for the first time, using her self-taught sign language to support those who have hearing impairments.
“The parents of our young people truly value the additional support that Alexandra offers as it allows them to take a step back giving them the opportunity for a break,” said Krauhaus.
No surprise then that gratitude for her works spreads far beyond her own family.
