The original Paddle for Life started after lifeguards from Fistral Beach held a Joe Way memorial paddle to raise money for charity in 2008. Joe is the inspirational little boy who touched people's lives around the country and beyond. His story of hope and fighting against all the odds with a cheeky smile has made what could have been the worse of times the best of times.
The Newquay toddlers story and fundraising is explained on the first website which was launched four weeks after Joe's tragic death in May 2008 www.joeway.co.uk was set up and is run by Ian chambers at IT-ok, the website has had over 48,000 visitors from all over the world including 7500 hits from the USA.
After the success of the annual Joe Way Paddle for Life, which is the appeals main fundraiser, a separate website and branding was set up to cope with the success of the event.
Scott Dickinson designed the branding and website which is now well known in Cornwall and around the world in the surfing community. The paddle site, iTunes podcast page and the Magic Seaweed profile page have had an additional 80,000 global hits.
Another success of the online campaign has been Joe's small banner which has clocked up 362,973km around the world and has been snapped with singer James Morrinson, boxer Frank Bruno and some of the worlds top surfers.
The Joe Way appeal and its supporters have raised over £111,000.00 in four years, of which £70,000.00 has gone towards building Cornwall's first children's hospice.
Matt Way, Joe's dad, said; "We love what has been done to the paddle website and have learnt that you have to keep moving with the online market. It's a great looking website and very slick which means that all you need to know about next years' paddle is easy to access".
The online branding is backed up with signage, stickers and banners including the branding of a double decker bus by Perran Signs and Graphics. Over 7000 posters and flyers over the last four years have been printed by Newquay firm P&J print. Matt continued; "Our four business supporters have been key in communicating Joe's story and inspiring people to take part in events as well as holding their own events in his memory. All we wanted to do was tell our son's story to motivate people into doing something positive and we have not been disappointed".
To learn more about the Joe Way Paddle for life and to check out the website go to www.joewaypaddle.co.uk next years paddle will be heald on Thursday 6th June from 4pm at Newquay harbour.
