Please can you all take a moment to read the below article which was recently published in the Manchester Evening News, and tells the story behind Jolly Josh.

"A bereaved mum whose toddler died from a genetic illness is channelling her grief into helping the parents of other disabled children.

Josh Kelly was just 15 months old when he died in August from a mitochondrial disease.

But Josh’s mum Carole is determined to create a legacy for her son by setting up a charity to run play sessions for toddlers in her home town of Rochdale.

Carole, 33, of Wardle, first began planning the Jolly Josh playgroup while Josh was still alive after discovering there were no groups in the area for disabled youngsters under four.

And now the primary school teacher, who also has a daughter, Sophie, three, with her architect husband James, 31, is determined to push ahead with the plans.

“My focus is now Sophie and Jolly Josh.

“My original plan was that Josh would be here to benefit from the group, but now it will be his legacy and I am determined that other parents and children will benefit from it.”

“Just meeting other parents who know what you’re going through is a massive help, just to get that support and know you are not on your own is massive.

“It is hard enough getting out of the house with a child, but with a disabled child it is even harder. I have an amazing family and an amazing support network around me and some days I found it bewildering. There are lots of people don’t have that support.”

A weekly programme of sessions which will be attended by health specialists with has been planned until Christmas.

For more information search for ‘Jolly Josh’ on Facebook."

I'm sure you'll agree a great and worthy cause!

Thanks for all of your support!

james, aaron, lee and gareth

James