Over £60k raised for Jolly Josh in memory of late Peter Cordwell

Tens of thousands of pounds have been raised for Jolly Josh in memory of the late Peter Cordwell.

The father of three, who was also known as ‘Creamy’, had given the Jolly Josh charity – which hosts stay-and-play sessions for children with disabilities and special needs – 10 years’ worth of free rent at their Ensor Mill site in 2019.

Jolly Josh was started in September 2017 by Carole and James Kelly, of Wardle, after discovering there were no groups for young disabled children in Rochdale.
 

Read more: Jolly Josh charity group receive keys for new permanent homePublished: 04 November 2019

Following Peter’s sad death, his younger sister Alison McGuigan vowed to continue her brother’s dream in supporting the charity, and raise £50,000 by Peter’s birthday on 26 April.

Donations made in Peter’s memory had already topped £40,000 and in February Alison set out to raise a further £10,000 to reach the £50k target by racking up a thousand miles on foot or by bike.

Just two months later, the solicitor had completed her goal after smashing the 1,000 mile distance she set herself, losing just over two stone – and raising over £23,000 to boot whilst documenting her journey on Facebook.

Alison said: “When my lovely brother suddenly died at just 48 with so much left to live for, we set out to raise £50k by his birthday, which coincidentally is the week of his six-month anniversary.

“When Peter and Sharon heard about Jolly Josh they found an amazing place that provides families with the opportunity to create and share memories with their children. 

“Peter and Sharon had a stillborn baby 12 years ago called Baby Paul Gareth, and would have loved to have had the chance to use such a facility.

“Typical Peter found part of Ensor Mill that wasn't being used back in October 2019 and decided to give Jolly Josh a much needed home, and over the past 12 months  he worked tirelessly to raise money to ensure the project kept going.

“As tribute to a great family man and friend. Sharon, Pip, Peter George, Penny, Linda, Melvin, Noel and myself, thank you so much to everybody who has donated towards finished Peter’s dream.

“Peter loved everything about this charity, the girls that run it and everything the charity is about. But most of all he loved the impact this charity will have on people’s lives, making memories and making friends.”

Alison was joined on some of her bike rides around the Rochdale borough by both her husband, Noel, and sister-in-law, Sharon, a hobby she is continuing with.
 

At least £7,000 of the monies raised came from sponsoring Alison’s weight loss by benefactors who did not want naming.

Alison said: “I’m so chuffed. Thank you to my weight sponsors; you know who you are and don’t want mentioning, but I’m very grateful.”

Furthermore, following Alison’s success, Peter’s widow, Sharon challenged Dan Taylor, director of Kerf Steel and one of Pete’s good friends, to undertake a similar fundraising challenge, and set Dan the goal of swimming the equivalent distance of England to France and back in the swimming pool at the Norton Grange. 

In total, Dan will need to swim 3,756 lengths of the pool to complete the 42-mile distance.

Dan said: “Losing Peter in October 2020 was tragic and absolutely devastating to his family, friends and everyone that knew him. He was a clever, tenacious businessman, loving family man, good friend to many and a 'larger than life character' that commanded a room, and was always great fun to be around.

“He supported a lot of local charities throughout his life. Jolly Josh in particular was an organisation that he was very fond of, donating a building to them for 'a place to call home' that myself, the Cordwell family, friends of Jolly Josh, and the team of trustees have been fundraising through various events to fully kit out.

“Peter recognised the potential in the charity and provided a huge opportunity for the development of Jolly Josh.

“At the end of April this year, I was set the challenge by Sharon to swim from England to France and back. As the people who know me will be aware, I am not an avid gym visitor, so this has been somewhat of a journey for me. 

“I have been overwhelmed by the level of donations that have been pledged and would like to thank everyone for their support.

“I do hope that he is proud of all that has been achieved by his family and friends in his memory.

“We love you, and miss you terribly, our Creamy.”

Additionally, the little boy of family friends, Neven, four, has raised £420 for the cause by walking hundreds of laps of his dad’s farm in Northern Ireland.

The money raised will go to Jolly Josh to help towards buying specialist interactive sensory equipment for the children and their families to enjoy together, which is expected to open later this year.

 

 

Carole Kelly said: “Team Jolly Josh are incredibly grateful to all of our supporters and fundraisers, they really are key to our success.

“Dan and Alison, their families and friends have taken Jolly Josh into their hearts and supported us in ways in which we never imagined possible, enabling Jolly Josh to have a place to call home.

“We hope to be able to open our doors to our families in Autumn/Winter this year and are very excited about the opportunities which have so generously been given to us.

“Jolly Josh will forever be grateful to Pete for gifting us our centre and providing families with disabled children the opportunity to connect, support and thrive.

“Pete will continue to have a special legacy within our charity and we hope to make him, his family and friends very proud as our charity continues to develop.”

Both Dan and Alison have now become trustees of the charity.

A well-known local businessman, Peter sadly died after suffering a medical incident last October after a burglary.
 

Read more: Tributes paid to Heywood businessman Peter CordwellPublished: 30 October 2020

 

The family was also hit with further heartache as Alison and Peter's dad, Melvin, sadly died just 18 days after his son.

Alison added: "Our dad died of Covid just 18 days later, although we believe he died of a broken heart as we were such a close family. He was only 76 and no significant ailments."

Mr Cordwell was well-known throughout the borough of Rochdale, known for his companies PGC Demolition and Creamy Crete, and the many properties he owned, including Collop Gate Farm.

Mr Cordwell had also been involved in a lot of community projects and charity efforts, including raising thousands for Springhill Hospice, giving premises at Ensor Mill to local charity Jolly Josh with 10 years’ worth of free rent, donating to the Save Samantha fund, supporting Rochdale In Bloom, and owning the site where local motorbike group MT Heads hosted rallies.

A trial in connection with his death is due to take place next year.

To donate, please visit:

• Dan’s swim: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/swimforjollyjosh
• Alison’s 1,000 miles: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/petergcordwell-jollyjosh