Zumbathon raises the roof

More than 90 people and 5 instructors spent a dull Saturday afternoon getting hot strutting their stuff to raise money for Little Harbour in memory of Newquay toddler Joe Way.

Organised by local Zumba instructors Brender Willmott, Eve Packwood, Sagara Hilton, Fran Carter and Zolcha Brockehurst, they rocked the afternoon away in the amazing new Sports HUB at Treviglas Community College to raise over £1100 for the appeal.

Zumba is the latest fitness class to hit the UK – based on Latin American rhythms and dances, it’s an easy to follow, party style class that suits all ages and abilities.

Zumbathon participants danced in the HUB, kindly donated free of charge for the day. They were accompanied by the Steelers the school steel band and kept going with water from Sainsbury’s and sweets, cakes and bananas until after a gruelling 3 hours they all left smiling with goody bags from Truro College and an assortment of raffle prizes donated by local businesses and people.

The organisers would like to thank everyone who participated and all the people who donated prizes, time and effort to make this Newquay Zumbathon such a fantastic success.

Surf legends passing brings donation to charity

COLLEAGUES of Mark Neville have described his death as the loss of "one of the most honest and decent human beings in the surf industry".

The 45-year-old, who worked at Seabase, Newquay, for more than 15 years, was named as the UK's best longboard shaper in the November 2009 edition of Carve magazine.
Mark's family had asked for donations to be made to three causes close to his heart, in lieu of flowers. These are the Joe Way Appeal, the RNLI, and Caring for Life, a Christian charity that helps vulnerable people in society.

£374 was donated to the Joe Way appeal for Precious lives which help towards building Cornwalls first hospice for children.

Matt Way Joe’s Dad said “I never had the privilege of meeting Mark but I know that his passing has left the surfing community devastated, our thoughts are with his family to whom we are grateful for their donation under such tragic circumstances”.

Newquay boy inspires ‘up country’ canoe challenge

Many local people have been moved by the story of little Joe Way from Newquay, who passed away nearly three years ago. The way he lived his short life with a smile on his face, despite his daily challenges and struggles, has inspired people in the area and around the county to help others in his name.

Thousands of pounds has been raised for charity as a result, in particular Children’s Hospice South West’s Precious Lives Appeal to build a children’s hospice in Cornwall. This is a cause that is close to the hearts of the Way family, as Joe was always too ill to make the journey to the nearest children’s hospice – Little Bridge House – in North Devon.

Now Joe’s story has reached out as far afield as Staffordshire where one man has been so touched that he has set himself an extreme challenge to raise funds for the Precious Lives Appeal.

Gordon Taylor, from Cheadle, explains:
“In August 2009, myself and a friend completed a canoe trip of 200 miles and 84 locks in 8 days in a homebuilt canoe, raising £1,810 for the Anthony Nolan Trust.

“About a year later I came across the joeway.co.uk website. If you visit this site you just can’t help being inspired by the story of Joe Way and how far his parents have gone to inspire other people to raise funds for charity. It was because of this that I decided to look at doing another event.

“I built the two man canoe for the last event and have built a one man thirteen foot canoe as I will be travelling completely alone.

“I think that I have set myself a real challenge. I will be setting off on foot from my village, so will need to pull the canoe and two weeks worth of supplies approximately one mile to the canal at Froghall, then paddle 130 miles and 75 locks to Cropedy. I will have three days to recover before the return journey, totalling 260 miles and 150 locks for the whole challenge.

Newquay Mayor’s chosen charity off to a flying start

Newquay Mayor Andy Hannan has had the first £500 raised for his chosen charity “The Joe Way Appeal”

Joe Way, who was born with a rare genetic condition, was labelled a 'miracle boy' after surviving meningitis, a potentially deadly skin reaction, and numerous superbugs as well as complete organ failure. He died three years ago, after a rapid deterioration in health.

His website has been set up to tell his story, raise awareness of his conditions, help raise money for the Children’s Hospice South West’s Precious Lives Appeal to build a children’s hospice in Cornwall and supports another 20 charities mainly at the now annual Joe Way paddle for life.

Matt Way, Joe’s dad did his tandem skydive with chief instructor David Wood along with his son and business partner Ben Wood, filming the jump.

The Skydive and Parachute club based at Perranporth is a family business and has overseen thousands of jumps over the years.

After a briefing the extreme enthusiasts boarded the specialist plane, climbed to 10,000ft and with the last checks done cameraman Ben climbed out onto the side of the plane; Matt and the instructor sat on the edge and descended into the clear blue sky over the stunning Cornish coastline.

The free fall lasts for about 30 seconds and on Matt’s skydive they where travelling at 133mph, there were some fun moments with the cameraman before the main parachute opened, then the wind-rush suddenly stopped leaving a calming moment to take in the stunning Cornish scenery.

Matt said “It’s the most amazing experience! if you get the chance then go for it, I can guarantee you will love every second. The team at skydive Cornwall put you at ease and really look after you, we are very lucky to have this opportunity on our doorstep, I cannot wait for the next jump.”

Speedy hire raise money for the Precious lives appeal

The staff at Speedy hire in Newquay raised £280 during their open day with the help of Crantock bakery’s donations of tasty pasties. The staff showed off what Speedy can do to local businesses whilst raising money for the Precious lives appeal in memory of Newquay toddler Joe Way.

Speedy hire Newquay also support the annual Joe Way Paddle for life with equipment which is vital to the event which is now holding its third paddle on the 15th September at Newquay harbour this year.

Matt Way Joe’s Dad said “Derek and the staff have always supported us with fundraising and their help with the paddle has helped raise thousands, we are very grateful for their support”.

To take part in the Joe Way Newquay Paddle for life 2011, see what happened at last years event and get up to date news go to www.joewaypaddle.co.uk