Father of ‘Jolly Josh’ climbing the National Three Peaks for the charity

'Jolly Josh' with his sister, Sophie

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The father of ‘Jolly Josh’ is climbing the National Three Peaks for the charity named after his son.

James Kelly is taking on the tallest mountains in Great Britain – Snowdon in Wales, Scafell Pike in England and Ben Nevis in Scotland – for the Jolly Josh charity, a baby and toddler group inclusive of all children, especially those with disabilities and special needs.

A popular misconception is that the three mountains that form the challenge are the three tallest on the British mainland, but over one hundred peaks in Scotland are higher than Scafell Pike, and 56 higher than Snowdon.

Jolly Josh was founded by James’ wife, Carole, in memory of their son, Josh, who died in 2017 at just 15-months-old. Carole started the group, which received charitable status in April 2018,  as “a coping mechanism and distraction” after discovering there were no groups for young disabled children.

Carole has since been shortlisted for a Greater Manchester Health and Care Champion Award, the first awards to recognise members of the paid and unpaid workforce who go above and beyond to improve the health and wellbeing of local residents.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/138/community-news/118453/baby-and-toddler-group-celebrates-double-success

Carole and her husband James are still yet to receive an official genetic diagnosis, but experts believe their son was suffering from mitochondrial disease. At the age of six months, it was confirmed Josh had experienced ‘extensive brain damage’ and his development regressed.

After his condition deteriorated, Josh was taken to Derian House children’s hospice, where he died on 27 August 2017, just one month before Jolly Josh was due to begin. The group continues in his legacy.

Jolly Josh is based at Springside School, Rochdale and meets on Wednesdays from 1.15pm to 3.30pm.

To donate, visit:

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/jj3peaks