February 2011  I qualified and entered 7 Individual & 2 Team Relay events for my last ever  DSE’s (Disability Sport Events) National Short Course Junior (18 & under) Championships at Ponds Forge international sports centre in Sheffield. 

Results  

DSE 18u National Junior Short Course Swimming Championships – Sheffield

100m Freestyle  S9   2^nd

200m Individual Medley  S9   2^nd

400m Team Medley Relay  2^nd (Jo-Jo Freestyle)

100m Breaststroke  SB8   2^nd 

400m Freestyle Team Relay  4^th

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The weekend started out well and I was looking forward to the competition.

My daddy, met me at Sheffield to stay and support me whilst my brother and mummy stayed at home with my best friend Bruce (my dog). Unfortunately Bruce who is 15½ was not very well he has been on medication for his heart for a few years now. As the weekend progressed Bruce’s health deteriorated so much so that my dad had to leave for home in the middle of the night. We prepared ourselves for the worst. I pulled out of most of my events because I was so upset. I just could not stop crying. I was going to lose my best ever friend. Did I want to go home with my dad or did I want to stay away? I didn’t want to see Bruce in such a bad way. I love Bruce so so much. We all prepared ourselves for the worst.

First thing Sunday morning my mummy, daddy and brother took Bruce to the vets.

The vet came out of his room and asked why are you all crying? Bruce could not stand up un aided he keeps falling down, walking into things, his eyes are shaking all the time and his head is all twisted over. The vet replied, Bruce has got a problem with his middle ear, which is affecting his balance, and that he would be fine in a week or two.

Phew! What a relief.

As you can probably tell I did not swim that good and I only ended up entering 4 events plus 1 relay. But on the other hand Bruce is still with us Hooray and you will be pleased to know he is on the mend.

I love Bruce!

♥

I like to spend my half term holidays helping others.   This half term I was a PE assistant for Mr Funa at The Westborough School in my hometown of Westcliff-on-Sea.

The photo above is of myself and Sir Mike Jackson MBE from The Presidents Sporting Club with one of Westborough’s PE teachers Mr Funa and some year 2 children.

Sir Mike Jackson MBE had just presented me with a donation towards my Paralympic dream.

If you think you could help

towards my paralympic 2012 or 2016 dream

you can by leaving a donation here

Or  Email - jojo@tajj.freeserve.co.uk

There has been a lot of media interest in Jo-Jo lately regarding her disability, paralympics, allsorts she was even mentioned in the House of Commons. You can see her interviews below or on Jo-Jo’s  

>>> YouTube Channel <<<

Click here for >>> House of Commons <<< Christmas Adjournment debate.

Thank you for all your help & support in 2010 if you would like to support me in 2011 you can 

Millfield Christmas Ball 2010

November 2010  I qualified and entered 7 Individual & 2 Team Relay events at the DSE’s (Disability Sport Events) National Short Course Senior Championships at Ponds Forge international sports centre in Sheffield.  

Here are my results

DSE Senior Open SC National’s – 20^th & 21^st November 2010

100m Freestyle  S9  10^th

100m Backstroke  S9  8^th

400m Team Medley Relay  3^rd (Jo-Jo Butterfly)

100m Butterfly  S9  5^th

400m Freestyle  S9  5^th

200m Individual Medley  S9  4^th

100m Breaststroke  SB8  4^th

50m Freestyle  S9  9^th

400m Freestyle Team Relay  2^nd

^♥

Jo-Jo was one of the winners at The Essex Sports Awards 2010

some pictures of the night can be found here at BBC Essex http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/essex/hi/people_and_places/newsid_9184000/9184016.stm

and here http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/essex/hi/people_and_places/newsid_9178000/9178348.stm

“Echo Sports News“

Southend salutes its stars

PARALYMPIC-champion Danny Crates and Commonwealth quadruple-medalist James Huckle handed out the prizes to the cream of local talent at the 2010 Southend Sports Awards.

Crates, an 800m gold medallist, and Huckle, who won two silver and two bronze in Delhi, presented the prizes at the Clifs Pavilion on Monday evening.

The annual ceremony recognises the sporting achievements of individuals over the last year and can lead to a nomination for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year event.

Canvey Island Swimming Club’s Sophie Drake confirmed her London 2012 aspirations by picking up the Olympic Hopeful award. The Corringham teenager just pipped boxer Yohan Fonseca, and cyclist George Pearl.

And it was a great night for Westcliff’s swimming sensation Jo-Jo Cranfield as she won the Paralympic Hopeful award.

Jo-Jo also came third in the Young Sports Personality of the Year category, which was won by judo player Charlotte Newbold, with George Pearl in second.

And Jo-Jo came second in the Young Community Volunteer category, ahead of Hannah Verlander (cricket), but behind Daniel Blewett (football).

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Janet Bushell won the Services to Sport award for her work with Trinity FC, ahead of Janice Brown (triathlon) and Mike Thomason (sailing).

East Essex Triathlon Club was crowned Community Club of the Year, with the Akitas Judo Club in second, and the Minnie Football Academy in third.

East Essex’s Zena Shean won the Coach of the Year gong, ahead of Southend youth football manager Ron Bridges, and karate coach Ozel Osman.

The 3rd Annual Rochford District Sports Awards took place on Monday 11th October at the Freight House in Rochford, and once again Waters & Stanton were proud to be sponsoring the ‘Disability Sports Personality of the Year Award’. Guest of honor this year was Paralympic gold medal winning athlete Danny Crates from Maldon.

Swimmer Jo-Jo Cranfield this year won the ‘Disability Sports Personality of the Year‘ for her acheivements in the field. At the DSE Short Course Junior Nationals 2010 held in Sheffield in March she won Silver in 200m Butterfly, Bronze in 400m Freestyle, and Silver in 100m Breaststroke. She also competed in the British International Disability Championships 2010 also in Sheffield in April and the British Gas ASA National Championships 2010/Commonwealth Trials in Sunderland in August. Jo-Jo attends the prestigious Millfield School in Somerset with the aim of competing in the 2012 Paralympic Games in London. W&S would like to wish Jo-Jo the best in her campaign and congratulate her on her win at the Rochford Award Ceremony.

Unfortunately Jo-Jo was unable to attend the ceremony due to swimming commitments so her brother (James Cranfield B.Sc (hons)) collected the award on her behalf. He is pictured below collecting the award from Cllr Derrick Stansby (Chairman of Rochford District Council), Jeff Stanton and Danny Crates. On the far right is a picture of Jeff Stanton with Jo-Jo Cranfield at last year’s awards.

This report can also be found at Waters & Stanton >> blog <<

Millfield Swimming Squad 

Team Building – Surf School – Woolacombe Bay

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August 2010   British Gas ASA National Championships 2010 / Commonwealth Trials venue Aquatic Centre, Sunderland. It was the first time I had ever competed in Sunderland, the pool and the facilities where superb. It was an able-bodied long course event with some multi disability events mixed in. I qualified for all 7 events availble in my disability classification they were all MD (multi disability) events, which meant I was up against swimmers of all ages, and all disabilities, which is not good, because it normally means the lower classifications win.

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18^th to  21^stAugust 2010  British Gas ASA National Championships 2010 (Long Course)     

MD (Multi Disability) events up against all disabilities

14^th MD  Heat 50m Freestyle  S9 6^th    

9^th MD  Heat 200m Individual Medley  S9 3^rd  

9^th MD  Final 200m Individual Medley  S9 3^rd  

16^th MD  Heats 100m Freestyle  S9 5^th  

Heat 100m Breaststroke  DQ T- L1 Did not show intent to touch with two hands    

3^rd  MD  Heat 100m Butterfly  S9 1^st     

3^rd  MD  Finals 100m Butterfly  S9 1^st   

8^th MD  Heats 400m Freestyle  S9 2^nd 

7^th MD  Final 400m Freestyle  S9 1^st  

9^th MD  Heat 100m Backstroke  S9 1^st       

9^th MD  Final 100m Backstroke  S9 1^st   

I first visited Sheringham Junior School, Manor Park, London  as an inspirational speaker in 2008, where I met some very excited, interesting and enthusiastic children.

I was invited back for a visit to speak and to catch up with the children. It was lovely speaking with all of the children and finding out what progress they had all made. It meant a lot to me to know that the children remembered me from my first visit and a few of them had listened to some advice I had given about getting up early for School and to try to eat the correct types of foods, some of them said that they had joined all sorts of sports clubs since my last visit, I had a wonderful day, and I look forward to seeing them all again in the future.

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I was invited to help out at The Westborough School in my hometown of Westcliff-on-Sea, for their annual sports week. All the children showed lots of sporting potential I hope I inspired them to take their sports further. I look forward to returning and seeing their progress in the near future.  I enjoyed meeting lots of keen and interested children.

Participants of the ‘Moonlight Colourthon’ walked the half marathon (13.1 miles) at night / 8pm on Saturday 3rd July, 2010 all the walkers were encouraged to dress as brightly as their imagination would allow them to! The weather was a scorcher.

This year’s event started at Chalkwell Park with live interviews on BBC Essex Radio

and a quick warm up with the Colorthon fitness guru. 

A few stretches later it was time for the off. There where over 1500 entrants and  first across the start line were Jo-Jo Cranfield, Mark Foster and Rachel Riley

they walked through Chalkwell park to Old Leigh Road along Kings Road up Chalkwell Avenue to Imperial Avenue then down Crowstone Road to Crosby Road back down Chalkwell Avenue towards

Chalkwell beach along Southend sea front towards the cafes under the Arches rising up past the Cliffs Pavilion which took in Westcliff’s picturesque cliff tops with its brisk sea breezes and band stand on to Southend Pier Hill. Then the route dropped down overlooking the famous Southend Pleasure Pier

and then traveled through the exclusive Chalkwell Hall Estate, and continued into Old Leigh with its quaint cottages and fisherman’s sheds

From there they walked back up a gentle gradient at Belton Way and returned along the beautiful cliffs at Marine Parade strolling through Leigh itself back into Chalkwell Park to the finishing gantry to collect their medals.

 You will be pleased to know Jo-Jo finished her half marathon walk in 3 hours and 28 minutes

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Jo-Jo Cranfield – Senior Prefect 

There have been 12 Senior Prefects selected 6 girls and 6 boys for this Millfield School Acedemic year 2010 / 2011.

As you can see from this picture, Jo-Jo has been getting ready for her walk with Mark Foster.

You can Sponsor Jo-Jo or leave a Donation here

On the 3rd July 2010 Jo-Jo will be taking part in the fourth Moonlight Colourthon which is an amazing 13.1 mile walk in and around Leigh, Westcliff and Southend-on-Sea. Jo-Jo will be supported by  The Rotary Club of Southend-on-Sea, Registered Charity Number 1035021. Please quote Jo-Jo Cranfield if you wish to contact them or sponsor her.

 

Olympic swimmer and star of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ Mark Foster an old Millfieldian will also be supporting and walking with Jo-Jo.

Her dream is to be on the Podium at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Jo-Jo is currently the Vice Captain of Millfield Swimming Team, where in January she smashed the 1500m Freestyle S9 British Record.

For Jo-Jo to be able to fulfil her dreams and carry on with her education / A Levels at Millfield & University whilst keeping up with all her Swimming Training and Competitions, Jo-Jo will need some financial support.

Hence the reason why Jo-Jo is walking in the Moonlight Colourthon

If you know anyone whom might be able to Sponsor Jo-Jo or make a Donation Towards her quest / Competition Expenses / Millfield School fees / University fees etc

You can here via

The Rotary Club of Southend-on-Sea Registered Charity Number 1035021, quoting her name Jo-Jo Cranfield.

Or you can Sponsor Jo-Jo or leave a Donation here

 (dont forgot to press update total on paypal link or it will not work)

Or contact Jo-Jo by email at jojo@tajj.freeserve.co.uk 

                                                                             .

Vice Captain Millfield Swimming Squad

April - Home for the Easter holidays  hurray! For a short rest, Rest, ha! What rest? A nice 185 mile drive, home for two days, then catch several trains to Sheffield for the British Championships in the first week, second week I had an operation to remove my wisdom teeth, lovely a mouth full of stitches and for last week competing at the International Disability Swimming Championships and amongst all that I had to try and fit in some revision for my up and coming exams. 

Oh well. People do say, no rest for the wicked

Holidays over Time to pack up and get ready for School in Somerset and Internationals in Sheffield. Great what next? My parent’s vehicle only went and broke down so we had to hire a car. It was a tight squeeze, I mean a very tight squeeze fitting in all my school stuff, printers, bedding, swimming and sports kits etc. But we just about managed it. Then of we went for the 200 mile journey to Sheffield for the British International Disability Championships over twenty different Countries’ were there competing, it was very exciting. Until! I hurt my foot climbing out of the swim down pool. Ouch click! Crunch! Yes you guessed it I broke one of my toes it was agony. I tried my best but the pain and swelling was getting a bit too much so unfortunately I had to pull out of all the finals on the last day. I needed to get my foot strapped up and drive the 220 miles back to School. All in all it was not the most exciting Easter Holiday I have had. but I am well, alive and happy. Plus I did get to see my family and friends.

Here are my results

British International Disability Championships / World Trials  Sheffield 16th 17th & 18th April 2010

MD (Multi Disability) events up against all disabilities

18^th MD Heat 400m Freestyle S9 5^th

Pulled out to concentrate on Breast final. Final 400m Freestyle

14^th MD Heat 100m Breaststroke SB8 3^rd

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3^rd MD B Final 100m Breaststroke SB8 3^rd

21^st MD Heat 50m Freestyle S9 8^th

9^th MD Heat 100m Butterfly S9 6^th

8^th MD Final 100m Butterfly S9 6^th

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20^th MD Heat 100m Freestyle S9 8^th

Pulled out needed to travel back to Millfield Final 100m Freestyle

15^th MD Heat 100m Backstroke S9 5^th

Pulled out needed to travel back to Millfield Final 100m Backstroke

20^th MD Heat 200m Individual Medley SM9 7^th

Pulled out needed to travel back to Millfield Final 200m Individual Medley

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