Joseph steps up to support child charity
DANCING TEENAGER HONOURED BY SPECIAL BENCH FROM TV STAR JAY
A TEENAGER has been recognised by National Lottery and Repair Shop host Jay Blades for his efforts supporting disabled children during the coronavirus pandemic .
Joseph Rutherford, 15, has been supporting disability charity Footprints – by posting videos of his dancing online.
As a child Joseph used to attend the Nottingham charity that supports babies and pre-school children with disabilities by improving their motor skills and communication.
The 15-year-old was born with Down syndrome and autism and was recently diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.
During lockdown, Joseph helped to boost morale of the Footprints families by posting videos of himself dancing along to uplifting tunes on social media, such as Monty Python’s Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life.
Helped by his mum, Miriam, a speech therapist for the charity, he also recorded renditions of songs using Makaton sign language, including a rendition of Vera Lynn’s We’ll Meet Again to mark VE Day.
Joseph, who attends Ash Lea School in Cotgrave and lives with his parents Miriam and Les and younger sister Hannah, 13, went on to raise more than £4,000 for Footprints with a 26km tandem bike ride with his dad, drawing admiration from one of his heroes,
James Corden.
Joseph’s campaigning efforts have earned him a lasting tribute in the local community, in the form of a bespoke bench, designed by BBC Repair Shop’s Jay Blades, which has been placed in Bridgford Park.
The charity worker is one of 12 “Unsung Champions” across the UK being recognised for their time and efforts in supporting some of the most vulnerable in communities during the pandemic.
“Footprints were absolutely fundamental in my early development,” said Joseph.
“I learnt to sign very early on which is certainly essential for children with Down syndrome.
“We were really concerned that Footprints was going to have to close because they rely totally on charitable donations.”
Jay Blades said: “Like most of us, I have witnessed inspirational acts of selflessness and kindness this year as people have adapted their lives to help others. It has been an honour to get to know the 12 people whose work is being honoured with a bespoke bench being placed in their local area.”
Dawn Austwick, CEO of the National Lottery Community Fund, said: “For 25 years The National Lottery has helped make amazing things happen, but never in such extraordinary times.
“These benches are a fitting tribute.”