In Loving Memory of
Joanna Neal
IN MEMORY OF JOANNA NEAL
Our Reach adult, RAW mentor and trustee Jo sadly passed away at her home with her family on Christmas Eve. Jo touched the lives of so many members of the charity, including friends, the kids at camp and those she worked alongside as a mentor and trustee. Jo will be remembered by our members for her generosity, infectious laugh, and enthusiasm for the kids. Jo was a key figure on the Reach activity week and mentored hundreds of children who she was an inspiration to, helping them grow into confident young adults. As well as her jovial spirit and devotion to the kids, she also gained a reputation at camp for being the smallest person with the biggest luggage! Last year, Jo was elected onto the board of the charity and we are devastated that she has been taken from us so suddenly and way too soon. Jo was an asset to the charity and role model for the kids, her absence will be felt by us all. It was a privilege to have had Jo as part of our team and we want to send our love and condolences to Jo’s friends and family on behalf of everyone at Reach.
Book Owner: Reach Charity Ltd
Book Size:Â 200 Messages
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Sharon Jeffery
Jo, Your smile is one not to be forgotten, Your support to parents and children on RAW and family weekends was amazing, nothing was ever too much trouble. You were always willing to help. Kayden will never forget those RAW weekends as the best holidays. Rest in Peace and we will always remember you, Love from Sharon & The Jeffery family xx…
Satyadasa David Waterston
I met Jo a couple of times back in 2006/ 2007 on Reach activity weeks in Cornwall and Yorkshire. She was an all rounder with the kids and the adults – warm, fun, caring and practical. A beautiful person. I was so sorry to hear the sad news. Sending love and best wishes to her familty and close friends. Satyadasa (known as David back then). …
Adam Richardson
Jo was my co-leader on many camps from when I started leading at RAW at 18, I can’t believe she’s passed and there are no words to convey the loss we all feel at Reach. She truly was 1 in a million, and it won’t be the same without her by my side….
Tracey and Jason Smith
We only met Jo a few times at the Reach AGMs, but she was always a bundle of fun and we shared some happy times. I know she has been an incredible inspiration to so many of our Reach family. Sending love to her family and friends. 💙🧡. …
Ria Walker-Chamberlain
Jojo Small but mighty. You loved and laughed with such passion and our hearts are full for knowing you. You always thought of others, shared all your possessions and made us giggle with your impressions. I taught you to tie your shoes but you taught me kindness, compassion and fearlessness. I once heard you say “I’m just a teacher” but you were so much more to those who knew and loved you. Whilst there is much that could be said, I just want to say thank you Jojo ♡♡♡♡ Ri x x x …
Amber Thacker
Whilst I write this I am thinking of Jo’s family and friends. Jo was an inspiration. I will always remember her cheering us on during Reach activity weeks. She impacted my life and I am sure the lives of hundreds of other reach children and families. I was looking forward to working with Jo as we both joined the board together last year. My heart goes out to her loved ones. She will be missed xxx …
Debs Bond
Jo, I am grateful to have know you. You were a rock for Kate and I at Reach head-office, you never over complicated anything and always put us at ease. You and Claire held our hands through ensuring that RAW continued to happen even during the COVID lock down. You knew how important it was to maintain contact with our Reach children. You were an independent spirit who lived life your own way but never forgot to support and help others. You are going to be greatly missed. Debs (Reach National Coordinator 2019 to 2022). …
Esther Lees
Jo I have really struggled to get my head around this loss of such an amazing women. Life is so unfair. Jo has been an absolute inspiration to me from my first ever RAW at the age of 12 and on returning as a mentor in the last few years. She was a friend, a role model, a support system and a right good laugh! As I became a teacher, I had so many questions for Jo about her job and she always had fantastic advice and stories to tell me. She was a no nonsense person and I truly admired that! She gave her time every year to support the children at RAW and as seen in the amazing tributes she was very loved and appreciated. I only hope she knew just how many lives she touched, including my own! We have had such fun times at AGMs too over the latter years and enjoyed a few drinks and laughs together. Jo is one of the main people I associate with Reach and I feel so sad for the people who will now go through the charity without experiencing how amazing she really was. I will do…
Linda McMeekin
Jo me and my girls are going to miss you so much! we had so much fun at the family weekends, they are definitely not going to be the same without you! Thank you for all the help and advice you gave me and cerys, I still can’t believe you are gone 😢 fly high my beautiful friend – until we meet again xxx…
Emily Tisshaw
I was 10 years old at my first Reach camp and I remember Jo greating me at Peterborough services where I boarded the coach (19 years ago!), I would go on to see her every year at the Reach activity weeks and AGM’s. As I grew up, I then had the privilege of working alongside Jo as a mentor in 2021 & 2022 at the kids camp and then as a trustee when we were both nominated onto the board last year. I will remember her for the fun, kind and sunshine-like person that she was. Jo was always such a key figure of the activity weeks and it is such a great loss to the world that she is now gone. My love and best wishes go out to her family at this difficult time x…
Lily Brown
Just want to say thank you for everything Jo did not only for me but for all the kids that went on RAW. Jo is in my earliest memories of feeling confident and finally feeling like I belong somewhere. Never have I met a person so happy and so content with being herself. She definitely shaped the person I am today and the way I feel and think about myself and that is something I will hold onto forever. Jo you’re going to be so missed, thank you for everything you did. I am forever and always grateful. sending all my love to family and loved ones Lily …
Charlotte Fielder
Jo inspired so many people and I wonder if she was even slightly aware of the positive impact she had upon us all. She was a beacon and a beautiful soul. My favourite memory of Jo is when she participated in ‘Reach out and Jump’. She was so determined and prepared to jump out of an aircraft attached to someone she had just met, to fundraise for Reach. Above all she was just so lovely. Such a natural and authentic person. Thank you Jo, for being you. …
Colm
Jo,It’s hard to write this cause how do you say the last goodbye to a friend? How do you put a feeling/a sense/an energy into words? Cause that’s what things were like hanging out with you! It was feeling! What the kids would call ‘a vibe’! Your heart was in every conversation and your love always shone through! You were compassionate and friendly – seeing you helping other Reach kids, talking to parents or just having a laugh at the bar was an honour and a privilege!I’ll definitely miss you! I know many others will too! All my love -to you, wherever you are now! And to your family! Colm…
Sheila &Celia Mack
Rest in peace , your work here is done special prayers for you and all your family. Xx…
Gary Phillips
My thoughts are with Jo’s family at this sad time. Jo will be greatly missed and her jovial and pleasant manner was a winner with every Reach child that attended the Reach Activity Week. She was a dedicated and respected member of the Reach family and a great mentor. Rest in Peace. …
