Local children’s charity Jolly Josh to be supported by new car park payment system at Rochdale Exchange

Local children’s charity Jolly Josh is being supported through a new automated payment system at the Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre.

From 1 September, the shopping centre car park will introduce a new payment method – Hozah Autopay – and local children’s charity Jolly Josh will receive 1% of profits generated through the system over the next 12 months.

Hozah Autopay requires a one-time sign up using your registration plate and payment details:

ANPR cameras are used to detect your number plate(s) entering and exiting the car park before Hozah automatically charges you for the length of stay.

It does not require cash or apps, and drivers don’t need to worry about fines. You can either sign up when you enter a Hozah-enabled car park to be charged for that session and future sessions, or sign-up at home and be charged for all future parking sessions.

You can register as many vehicles as you like and use your account in any Hozah-enabled car park.

Hozah says drivers who have signed up “can now enjoy the convenience of simply driving in, parking, and driving out.”

Fees for staying at the car park are set by the Rochdale Exchange, which will remain the same. Hozah Autopay charges a £0.10 convenience fee.

The one-time-use Hozah: PayByWeb system will allow customers to pay up to a maximum of 24 hours after having left the car park, Hozah payment kiosks that accept card payments in the same way as the existing system operates.

The machines will be located at Yorkshire Street, opposite WH Smiths, the General Parking Level outside the management suite and on each exit lane.

The free two-hour parking arrangement for JD Gym members will not be affected by the new system, and will continue, Hozah has confirmed. If gym members are signed up to Hozah Autopay, they will simply pay the difference automatically if they overstay the free two-hour period.

On the launch day, representatives from Jolly Josh will be in attendance, engaging with the community, and sharing insights into their crucial work in providing dedicated peer support and safe spaces for children and young adults with profound multiple learning disabilities, complex, and special needs, and their families and carers.

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

Josh was diagnosed with the genetic condition Mitochondrial Disease at the age of six months. The condition causes mutations in mitochondria, vital to every cell in the body, with Josh confirmed to have ‘extensive brain damage’ as a result.

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 stay-and-play sessions were set up 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.

The group continues in his legacy at its own purpose-built facility at Ensor Mill in Castleton, after being given 10 years’ worth of free rent by local businessman, the late Peter Cordwell in 2019.

Jolly Josh community fundraiser Lillie Winterbottom said: “We are thrilled that Hozah have chosen to support local families of children living with complex medical needs and physical disabilities, pledging their help by fundraising, and raising awareness for Jolly Josh, for the next twelve months.

“It is wonderful to know that by doing something as simple as parking your car in the Rochdale Exchange Car Park, that you will be helping to make a difference to for families who visit The Jolly Josh Centre.”

Hozah CEO, David Fowle said: “We are delighted to introduce a new era of convenience at Rochdale Shopping Centre with Hozah's ground-breaking car park autopay system, alongside traditional payment machines and one-off payment options.

“Our autopay technology not only simplifies parking for our visitors but also reflects our commitment to the community. In this exciting venture, we're proud to join forces with local charity, Jolly Josh, enhancing our efforts to make a positive impact."

For more information on Hozah and how to sign up for the new payment method, visit www.hozah.com