THE community certainly made a big splash at the return of a popular paddle fundraiser in Newquay on Thursday after £5,000 was raised for good causes.

Hundreds of people attended the Joe Way paddle for life charity event held at Newquay Harbour.

The fun-filled paddle races saw children of all ages and abilities paddling in memory of the Newquay toddler.

The relay was won by Newquay Surf Life Saving Club and, with lots of teams taking part, it was a fierce competition but fun race.

The RNLI race was one of the most competitive so far with new faces adding to the legacy that was started by Fistral lifeguards back in 2008. The Manns team won the Joe Way Memorial Cup, which was presented by Joe’s dad Matt.

The afternoon kicked off in spectacular style as six skydivers jumped from a plane at just 5,000 feet. Ben Wood, Dave Wood, Olly Denham and Ralph Mitchell of the Cornish Parachute Club, based at Perranporth gave the crowds a real show.

The skydivers were picked up by Cornwall Surf Life Saving and entered Newquay Harbour to huge applause, followed by pilot Chris Fowler treating the crowds to a flyby. The Cornwall Air Ambulance helicopter also did a flyby.

Charity stalls, refreshments, commentary by Anton Roberts and a musical sunset session helped create a carnival atmosphere, which included performances by Ash Harding, Oll An Gwella, Newquay Rowing Club Male Voice Choir and various DJ’s from Amplify Southwest, including Joe’s sister Rosie Way.

The Paddle for Life is organised in partnership with Newquay Towan Blystra Lions Club and Surf Life Saving Cornwall.

The event raises money from the paddler’s entry money, food stalls, drink sales at the rowing club and the prize draw raffle. The successful raffle included a signed guitar from singer James Morrison and a painting from artist Doug Hinge as some of the prizes.

The paddle is held in memory of Newquay boy Joe Way who was born with a rare genetic condition called Angelman’s Syndrome and died on May 7, 2008, aged four. He had been labelled a miracle boy after surviving meningitis, a potentially deadly skin reaction Steven Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and survived numerous superbugs. He sadly died of complete organ failure after suffering from SJS for a second time.

Since his death, parents, Matt and Claire Way, have campaigned tirelessly to raise money for over 20 causes in his name and much of this has been raised through the Paddle for Life which they established after his death. To date, the annual events have raised over £185,000.

Matt Way said “After five years of not running the event, the team and family felt that it was the right time to relaunch the event, to celebrate what would have been Joe’s 21st birthday last September.

“So many people have enjoyed this event as kids and now have returned as adults, some with their own children; it is so uplifting for us as a family that we can celebrate Joe’s short but impactful life.

“Special thanks to all behind the scenes support staff and volunteers, for all the time and effort put into this, preparing for and delivering on the day, without whom we could not run the event.

“Thanks also to this year's charity stallholders supporting the event, which included The Wave Project, Children's Hospice Southwest, Penhaligon’s Friends, Surfers Against Sewage, Cornwall Air Ambulance and St Petrocs.”

The Paddle event has a lot of local business support and great raffle prizes. The Way family, Newquay Towan Blystra Lions and Cornwall Surf Life Saving would like to thank the following people: Newquay Surf Life Saving, Lusty Surf Life Saving, Perran Signs, P&J Print, Hutton Hire, Newquay Rowing Club, Purple Gecko Events, In Safe Hands, Newquay Activity Centre, Newquay Harbour Sports, Newquay Harbour Master, Newquay fisherman, Skindog Surfboards, Radio Newquay, Start & Co, Henwood Funerals, WAX Newquay, WAX Watergate, Pitched Marketing & Websites, St Columb Financial Services, Aspect Holidays, Soundworx, Newquay Lions, Ultra Entertainment, SRT Security and Doug Hinge, who all helped and supported the event.