Jolly Josh celebrating successful two years with pirate-themed fun day

Jolly Josh, a local toddler group for those with disabilities and special needs, is celebrating its second anniversary this weekend.

On Sunday 22 September from 1pm - 3pm, the group will host a pirate-themed family fun day at Callaghan House, Heywood with free activities for all, including making a telescope, messy play, glitter tattoos, face painting, a bouncy castle and a children’s DJ and disco.

Other stalls include refreshments and chocolate tombola.

The Jolly Josh group was started as “a coping mechanism and distraction” in September 2017 by Carole Kelly, from Wardle, after discovering there were no groups for young disabled children in Rochdale.

In April 2017, Carole became the full-time carer for her son, Josh, who at the age of six months, was confirmed to have ‘extensive brain damage’ due to the genetic condition Mitochondrial Disease, which causes mutations in mitochondria, vital to every cell in the body.

The toddler stay and play session was set up by Carole and her husband James with the hope to bring families together, provide peer to peer support, share experiences, and eliminate isolation, especially for children with disabilities and special needs throughout the borough.

Josh sadly died on 27 August 2017, just one month before his legacy, Jolly Josh, was due to begin.

To mark Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week (16 – 22 September), rock painting will also be on hand at the fun day, with the rocks having the hashtag #mitorocks19.

 

 

Jolly Josh opened exactly one month after Josh's passing on 27 September 2017 and was awarded charitable status in April 2018, just seven months after opening:

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/118453/baby-and-toddler-group-celebrates-double-success

For organising a group that has become vital to many people's lives across the borough, Carole was presented this year’s Woman of Rochdale award at the annual luncheon in April:

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/127477/carole-kelly-woman-of-rochdale-2019

For the fun day, Jolly Josh are looking for the following items:

• Chocolate (of any shape and size for our chocolate tombola)
• Cupcake decorations (such as edible glitter, sprinkles etc.)
• Cakes (bought or homemade)
• Any craft items (sequins, gems, glitter etc.)
• Pirate decorations/fancy dress items

If you or your business can help, or to book tickets, email:

• Fundraising@JollyJosh.co.uk

There is a £5 entry fee per child (aged 3-10 years old). There is no fee for adults, but donations can be made on the day.

For further details about the event:

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/62749/jolly-josh-pirate-themed-family-fun-day