Jo-Jo Cranfield

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 

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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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March / April 2010   British Gas Swimming Championships 2010, venue Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, Sheffield. It was a long course event. Qualifying times were really hard. Which meant only the best qualified, like:-

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British Gas Championships 2010 (Long Course) – 29th March to 3rd April        

MD (Multi Disability) events up against all disabilities

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

10^th MD  Finals 400m Freestyle  S9 2^nd        

13^th MD  Heats 50m Freestyle  S9 7^th        

14^th MD  Heats 100m Breaststroke  SB8 4^th        

18^th MD  Heats 100m Backstroke  S9 6^th        

14^th MD  Heats 100m Freestyle  S9 6^th        

 14^th MD  Heats 200m Individual Medley  S9 5^th        

4^th MD  Heats 100m butterfly  S9 2^nd        

  4^th MD  Finals 100m butterfly  S9 2^nd

  You will never believe this. I have been selected to be a first batch Prefect at Millfield School it is a very high honour, Millfield normally only offer first batch positions to existing Millfield pupils that have been there for a number of years. I am so excited I hope I live up to their expectations.

Here I am with one of my best friends, Gwen. You can just make out my Prefect brooch.

DSE (Disability Sports Events) Short Course Junior Nationals venue Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, Sheffield. It was a short course event with two age groups 10 to 13 and 14 to 18. I fell in the 14 to 18 age group which was probably the hardest age group, most of the other competitors where Paralympic Medallists. I qualified for all the events on offer to my swimming classification, which is S9 SB8 SM9 but decided only to enter the events available to the Paralympics in 2012, which were 7 events.

  Here are my results

DSE (Disability Sports Events) Short Course Junior Nationals – 6th & 7th March 2010

4^th  100m Freestyle 

2^nd Silver  200m Individual Medley 

3^rd Bronze  400m Freestyle 

2^nd Silver  100m Breaststroke 

4^th  100m Backstroke 

4^th  100m butterfly

4^th  50m Freestyle   

It’s Official I am the s9 1500m Long Course British Record Holder

January 2010  

Here I am with my Millfield Swimming Coaches left to right Edward Sinclair, Jolyon Finck, me & Emma Collings shortly after I broke the S9 Long Course 1500m Freestyle British Record (subject to ratification) at Exeter City Long Course Open (Able Bodied) Meet which was held at Millfield School in Somerset. 

Here are my results

Exeter City Long Course Open Meet 22nd to 24th January 2010

 (subject to ratification) 1500m Freestyle S9 BRITISH RECORD

5th 100m Breaststroke  

 13th 50m Freestyle

8th 100m Backstroke

6th 200m Individual Medley

6th 100m Butterfly  

11th 100m Freestyle

December 2009   End of my first full term at Millfield I’ve had my ups and downs but overall it has been a great experience. Anyway packed up my room at Millfield and headed to Wales for the Welsh Disability Long Course Swimming Championships in Swansea. Sad to say it was the last time ever wearing the Speedo LZR full body,

It was a relaxing meet for me no pressure to make any times just had to swim and wind down. I think it was a nice way to end a very busy year.  

Here are my results:-

Welsh Long Course Championships 12th & 13th December 2009

100m Butterfly   S9 2nd

 50m Freestyle   S9 6th

200m  Individual Medley   S9 6th

200m Freestyle   S9 4th

  100m Freestyle   S9 4th

 100m Backstroke   S9 4th

 Looking forward to 2010 and the new Speedo LZR Racer Elite. bring it on!

November 21st & 22nd   I qualified and entered 7 Individual & 2 Team Relay events at the DSE’s (Disability Sport Events) National Short Course Championships at Ponds Forge in Sheffield. I had a reasonably good meet, it was not fantastic.  I have been working on my strokes. Lets edit that, changing my strokes, everything I do now is so different. Technique, Gym, Nutrition, Studying everything. So my swimming coach Emma Collings and I were not expecting miracles. I did manage to get a few Medals and PB’s (Personal Bests)

 Here are my results:-

DSE Senior Open SC National’s – 21st & 22nd November 2009

100m Freestyle   S9 5th

  100m Backstroke   S9 2nd

400m Team Medley Relay   3rd  

100m Butterfly   S9 3rd  

400m Freestyle   S9 2nd

200m Individual Medley   S9 4th

100m Breaststroke   DQ

50m Freestyle   S9 6th

400m Freestyle Team Relay   1st 

The highlight of the weekend was when I got to meet Ralf Little  from Two Pints of Lager & a Packet of Crisps and The Royle Family.

♥ Jo-Jo was invited to Garons Sports & Tennis Centre in Southend-on-Sea Essex, to give a motivational talk to some gifted & talented children, run by Southend Sports Patnership.

Thursday 22^ndOctober I attended the 2009 Rochford District Sports Awards with Dean Macey, I was nominated for two separate categories Young Sports Personality of the Year and Disability Sports Personality of the Year. I did’nt win, but I was nominated with distinction. ♥

Monday 7^th September 2009 was my first day at Millfield School in Somerset. It was o.k. a little nerve racking but all went well and I have chosen my A Level subjects – Psychology – Physical Education & Philosophy.

Hope I chose well because I will be studying them for the next two years.

The ASA have also invited me as an elite athlete to study for “AASE” Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence fantastic I hear you say, but 3 “A” levels and a Coaching Degree with all my Swimming, Land & Gym Training it will be tough going.

But I am sure I will be able to manage ~~~  ~~~

Made my room look a bit like home

 Cool! First weekend at Millfield and I am away to Skern Lodge Activity Centre in Bideford, Devon for a Swimming Team Bonding weekend. Sorry forgot to take a camera.

It’s only been a couple of weeks and I am missing home like crazy. I miss Rochford Swimming Club and my home coach Doug Drake with their 25m pool, my friends at home & RADS. Most of all I miss my best friend Bruce.

Never mind I keep telling myself I will be home at half term, so no time to be down, lots of studying and training to do. It is so different training in a 50m pool. Meeting new friends from all around the world, and trying to get to class on time in high heels is a Gym workout all of its own. I have got to have more self control, food here at Millfield is fantastic cream cakes as and when you want them is not always a good thing.

Talk about throwing you in at the deep end. Millfield entered me in for the Somerset Development Meet in Hutton Moor, Weston-Super-Mare. I swam o.k. It was an able body swimming meet and not all of Millfield’s Swimming Team had met me so some were a little surprised to see I only had one arm. 

I was Selected to compete for East of England in this years  UK School Games  in Wales at the National Pool Swansea. For 100m Butterfly and 100m Freestyle. It was my fourth and last UK Games because you have to be sixteen and under to compete. On the 5^th September I competed and came 2^nd with a Silver Medal for 100m Butterfly and 4^th for 100m Freestyle. Not bad when you think my mind was on starting Millfield on the 6^th September.

With the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games edging ever closer, 100 looked after children were given a taste of the Olympic Games at Essex County Council’s Danbury Outdoor Education Centre this week. 

The children, a mix of able-bodied, physically disabled and learning disabled youngsters, were all at the Centre as part of the a five-day summer camp for children looked after by Essex County Council.

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The group were delighted by the visit of Jo-Jo Cranfield, a Team GB disabled swimmer, who told them first hand about her hopes for competing in the Paralympic Games in 2012 and how sport has helped her to overcome adversity in her own life. She appealed to the young people in the group to take inspiration from her story and to achieve their own ambitions and dreams.

The children were then given the opportunity to take part in a range of Olympic and Paralympic sports including sitting volleyball, table tennis, rhythmic gymnastics, zone hockey and track and field events.

County Councillor Colin Riley, Chairman of the Corporate Parenting Panel said: “This has been a fantastic week for the youngsters involved, giving them the opportunity to enjoy sports and activities they wouldn’t have otherwise have had the opportunity to try.”

County Councillor Stephen Castle, Cabinet Member for Education and the 2012 Games added: “Whether they aspire to be a future Olympic or Paralympic Champion or not, we hope this event has shown the young people involved the positive impact that sport and active lifestyles can have upon their lives.”

This report can be found on the >>> Essex Legacy <<< website

August 10th    Not long now until I leave home and start a new chapter in my life at Millfield, I am feeling very excited. Picked up my trunks today from Steve owner of Logicline Trunks Ltd in Barling, Essex.  All systems go, Pack! Pack! Pack!

July 28th    Start of the National Youth Championships, venue Ponds Forge in Sheffield. I qualified for 7 events which would have been over 6 days but due to the expense of hotels I entered only 5. They were MD (multi disability) events which means I was up against swimmers of all ages, and all disabilities. Here are my results:-

National Youth Championships 2009

21st MD   200m Individual Medley   S9 8th

21st MD   100m Freestyle   S9 4th

14th MD   100m Breaststroke   SB8 3rd

12th MD   100m Butterfly   S9 6th  

14th MD   50m Freestyle   S9 5th