Towcester boy holds Family Fun Day to help national children’s charity

A stellar seven-year-old boy from Towcester, Northamptonshire, held a Family Fun Day in a bid to raise funds for the Children’s Air Ambulance (TCAA).

Operated by The Air Ambulance Service (TAAS) the Children’s Air Ambulance is an inter-hospital transfer service flying critically ill babies and children from one hospital to another for specialist care.

The charity relies on public donations from generous fundraisers – such as young Joey Holmes– to keep the helicopters flying and saving lives.

Joey organised his Family Fun Day along with the help and support of his mum, Lorraine, and Michelle from The Saracens Head public house – where the event took place.

The sunny event was opened by the Mayor of Towcester, Martin Johns, at midday before guests got to enjoy a barbecue, games, music from Steve the DJ, a raffle with fun prizes donated by local businesses, sweet treats, face painting and entertainment by Cha Char Chimps – Towcester, TC Dance and Barefoot Belly Dancers.

This was all followed by a family disco at 4pm and live music from local band ‘One Tone’ from 7pm.

Joey began his journey with the vital charity after signing up to be a member of #TheCrew – an exciting club for children linked to the lifesaving charity – and he has been unstoppable since.

Joey has previously already raised over £2,000, making him a #TheCrew Gold Member, and has now raised a further £1,000 – to be split between TCAA and Macmillan Cancer- with his recent efforts.

“I have been raising money for the Children’s Air Ambulance for just over a year now by doing various activities and it makes me really happy knowing that all the money I raise is helping this very special charity which helps poorly babies and children when they need it most,” explained Joey.

Joey’s first fundraising activity for the Children’s Air Ambulance was back in February 2021 after he was given a challenge by his school – Towcester CofE Primary School – to do ‘100 of something.’

Joey rose to the challenge and made 100 keyrings, which contained positive words such as ‘smile’, ‘love’, ‘laugh’ and ‘be kind’. He then hid them around his hometown for people to find and to make them smile during the third national lockdown.

Each keyring contained a note from Joey saying that he hoped the keyring made the finder smile and, if it did, he would love it if the finder could donate a couple of pennies to the Children’s Air Ambulance.

Inspired by the donations rolling in, Joey continued his fundraising efforts, and he went on to host a variety of projects including a quiz night, a treasure hunt, and much more.

“When I was making my keyrings, my mum was helping the Children’s Air Ambulance at her work as they were struggling to raise money during Covid, so I said I would like to try and help them to raise money, so I became a member of their children’s club called #TheCrew, which helps you to learn about saving lives, helicopters and how fundraising helps them,” added Joey.

As a special thank you for his dedication and fundraising, the children’s club’s mascot, Blade, made an appearance at Joey’s Fun Day along with TCAA Youth Development Manager, Anoushka Brown who added:

“Joey is an inspirational young boy with a big heart as he has done so many wonderful fundraisers to help our vital charity.

“It’s great to see him enjoying being a member of #TheCrew and it was such a special moment when he met Blade!”

Being a member of #TheCrew like Joey, children can learn about saving lives, helicopters, medicine, fundraising, and how a charity works. The club offers advice and teaching on community work, volunteering, working as part of a team, and supporting good causes which form part of many school curriculums.

It is completely free to join and, once signed up, members will receive a fabulous welcome pack.

To learn more about #TheCrew and to become a member, please click here.

To donate to Joey’s JustGiving page for his amazing efforts, please click here.