‘JB and Me’ Charity Fund Day

by | Feb 12, 2020 | Dartford Charities, Dartford News, Families, Health

On behalf of the JB and Me Charity.

On Friday 8th March 2019, the unthinkable happened. Two-year-old James Russell passed away in his sleep. Characterised as a bright, happy and funny little boy, his family were understandably devastated.

Through their grief, they found an inspirational way to honour James’s memory.

James was a central part of a large extended family, in the days and months that followed it became apparent that there was not a lot of bereavement help available for Children of the wider family, i.e. cousins and young aunts and uncles.

So the idea of JB and Me was born: a charitable trust that will help those most in need in the darkest days after losing a child within a family.
The aim is to target these families and offer support and help where needed, in the Dartford area.

The primary aim is to be able to offer caregivers of children the opportunity to gain The Emergency First Aid for Children Certification, many parents, grandparents etc. are not aware of how to react in an emergency. The charity wants to be able to fund a recognised outside organisation to run these courses for those that would like the qualification.

In addition, the family would like to get grief counsellors into smaller capacity schools, as they have seen the difference it makes to a child when help is offered. Smaller schools have lower budgets so have to make decisions where money is spent and usually something that benefits only one or two children will be overlooked for something that benefits the whole school.

Finally, there is a desire to bring JB (James Bear) to life. JB is a Bereavement Bear, a little bear to help children through the darkest nights and days of bereavement ahead. He is a friend to tell their worries and fears to. JB will have a colour-changing heart that works with heat, so that when a child places their hand over JB’s heart it will change colour, thereby giving the child the impression that JB has listened and heard.

We found that a little bear helped our children massively, they felt that they had a part of James still with them and included the bears in every part of their day.

In order to do this, we need to fundraise to cover our first event, we are holding a family fun day in Dartford, Kent on the 7th March 2020, this is the anniversary of the last day we had with James. We are hosting a static character car display, arts and crafts, mascots, face painting etc, but for this to go ahead we need your help. The location is Wilmington Grammar School.

Please visit  for more information.
Thank you for taking the time in reading our story and a heartfelt thank you if you donate.

http://jbandme.co.uk/

WALKING WITH THE DARTS | FEBRUARY EDITION

The February edition of Dartford Living Magazine is out now. However, if you're unable to locate your free copy, here is the latest edition of Walking With The Darts: Hello again, welcome to another edition of Walking With The Darts, a monthly update on all things...

MARVEL FANS ASSEMBLE!

CAPTAIN AMERICA SHIELD AND HULK HAND INSTALLATION COMES TO SHOWCASE CINEMA DE LUX BLUEWATER  Superhero fans heading to Captain America: Brave New World at Showcase Cinema de Lux Bluewater will get an extra treat, as an exclusive Marvel installation has...

DARTFORD FC WOMEN | CLASS OF 2024-25 | MEET SARAH HILL

Tuesday night saw Dartford host Chichester City at Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park in what was the rescheduled league fixture. Dartford FC Women attacker Sarah Hill featured in our matchday programme that night. For those who missed it, here is the full article:...

DARTFORD FC | CLASS OF 2024-25 | MEET DUANE OFORI-ACHEAMPONG

Tuesday night saw Dartford host Chichester City at Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park in what was the rescheduled league fixture. Duane Ofori-Acheampong featured in our matchday programme that night. For those who missed it, here is the full article: SECTION ONE Since...

Ofsted praises “united and harmonious” Dartford primary school

Temple Hill Primary Academy in Dartford has been praised by Ofsted for being a “friendly and inclusive school” where pupils “value their education” and “aspire to do well”. The Ofsted inspectors judged the academy, which is part of The Golden Thread Alliance Trust, to...

NEW HOBBIES FOR A NEW YEAR, Sing, Strum or Sweat it out in 2025!

We continue to offer plenty of opportunities for the local community to GET INVOLVED with our weekly clubs, all taking place in Acacia Sports Hall, Dartford. We kick off the week with Chair Fit on Mondays, a fully accessible exercise class. Set to popular music, these...

DARTFORD FC WOMEN | CLASS OF 2024-25 | MEET GABBY HOWELL

Last weekend saw Dartford host Hashtag United at Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park. Dartford FC Women right-back Gabby Howell featured in our matchday programme that afternoon. For those who missed it, here is the full article: SECTION ONE Gabby Howell signed for...

DARTFORD FC | CLASS OF 2024-25 | MEET DEAN NAYLER

Last weekend saw Dartford host Hashtag United at Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park. Dean Nayler featured in our matchday programme that afternoon. For those who missed it, here is the full article: SECTION ONE Dean Nayler is another promising player to emerge from the...

Dartford Grammar School celebrates International School Award win on 25th Anniversary of the prestigious prize

Dartford Grammar School Head Teacher, Mr. Julian Metcalf, and their Head of Languages, Mrs. Donna Kane, were delighted to recently attend the 2025 International School Award Ceremony in Westminster to receive their reaccreditation certificate for this prestigious...

HARIBO UK announces date for Bluewater retail store opening

-          Latest HARIBO UK retail store set to open on 12 February 2025 -          Sweet confectionery leader’s 11th retail store will welcome shoppers with free...