 Local
international
surf champion Ben Skinner, has given his backing to a charity event in
Newquay
for the second year running.
Ben, also
known in the
surfing world as “Skindog”, the number 2 in the world surfing games and
the
European professional longboard champion will be supporting the “Joe Way
Paddle
for Life Event” on September 23rd.
The event
was first
launched in 2008, when a group of lifeguards from Fistral Beach
took part in a fundraising paddle in memory of Newquay Toddler Joe Way,
who died in May
that year after previously overcoming a host of life-threatening
conditions.
“Skindog”
donated a
surfboard at last year’s paddle which raised over £1200.00 and this year
the
surfing-pro has donated the services of his surf school to provide high
end
surf lessons for a lucky beginner or experienced surfer.
In addition
to the
generous donation of surfing lessons, Skindog’s board shaping team have
designed
and built a long board for Joe’s charity which will be ridden by the
toddler’s
dad, Matt Way.
The Skindog
board
production team made up of Ben, Chris and Jason have all given their
time and
materials free of charge to support the Way family with there ongoing
journey
of telling Joe’s story.
Matt said
“surfing has
kept me falling over the edge so many times and this board will mean I
will
never ride alone my connection with son is always felt when I’m in the
water
and its something that’s very personnel to me. However painful each day
is
without Joe, he changed people’s lives when he was alive and he
continues to
inspire new people with the ongoing support we have had from so many
people”.
Scott
Dickinson, who
runs the Paddle Appeal
website, has designed the board to reflect the “Paddle” colours along
with a
photo of Joe at the front of the board. Joe’s Dad and his sister Megan,
aged 8,
were recently given a tour around the 'Skindog' factory by the busy man
himself
to look at how the boards are made. Megan was given a hot off the press
'Skin-Pup’s'
t-shirt, part of Skindog’s new brand making custom surfboards for
children.
Nick Davies
from the
Print Environment who print digital decals for surfboards in the UK and
are based in Cornwall donated the decals which would have
cost over £150, Nick also paddle in the first “Joe Way memorial paddle”
in 2008
organised by the RNLI lifeguards.
Joe’s
parents, Matt
and Claire Way, have campaigned tirelessly
to tell Joe’s story, raise awareness of his conditions and also to raise
money
for twenty charities including Children’s Hospice South West’s Precious
Lives
Appeal.
Matt said,
“We have
had so much support from Ben Skinner and the surfing community with the
fundraising as well as Joe’s banner that has had amazing coverage on the
world’s surfing circuit. I’m looking forward to riding the board, it’s a
great
design and as with all the boards that they make; a lot of thought has
gone
into shape, build and ensuring its right for my surfing ability. Joe’s
story
has inspired £80,000.00 worth of fundraising in two years and many other
opportunity’s as always a privilege to tell his story’
You can
support Joe’s Paddle by simply donating
£2.00 to one of Joe’s chosen charities on line.
To be
entered into “Joe’s raffle” and have the
chance of winning one of the fantastic prizes, log-on to www.joeway.info/paddle”. Here
you can read more about the appeal and view the list of prizes up for
grabs! To
find out more about the new Skin-Pup’s boards, the Official Boardmasters
SKINDOG surf camp and surf school go to www.skindogsurfboards.co.uk
ENDS
NOTES
TO EDITOR: For
further information on “Paddle for Life” and Joe’s story please
contact Matt Way on 07761079454 or
at info@joeway.co.uk
--
www.joeway.co.uk
For
and on behalf of Joe Way | 
