ILLUSTRATOR and author Curtis Jobling and his wife Emma have joined Millington-based children’s charity, The Children’s Adventure Farm Trust as patrons. 

The Warrington couple have been supporters of the charity for several years, both volunteering their time to help the charity to provide once in a lifetime experiences for ill, disabled and disadvantaged children at their Cheshire base. 

Curtis performed his first official duty as patron when 60 children from Ringway and St Peter’s Primary Schools attended interactive, fun Meet the Author sessions with the man himself.

Curtis told the children all about his love of reading, writing and illustration, how he created/designed Bob the Builder and Raa Raa the Noisy Lion, about his passion for writing and how his love of books has shaped his life and career. 

He taught the children how to sketch a variety of characters and animals and read extracts of several of his books including Old MacDonald had a Zoo for the younger children from Ringway and the Max Helsing series for the older children from St Peter’s.

Curtis and Emma will join an esteemed list of patrons, headed by Sir Bobby Charlton who is president of the charity. 

They will be supporting the charity alongside Jason Manford, John Bishop, Noddy Holder, Lee Boardman and Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey to name but a few.

The charity provides holidays, day trips and Christmas parties for terminally ill, chronically sick, disabled and disadvantaged children from all over the north west. 

Each year they must raise £1million to continue to provide these life-changing opportunities to children in desperate need. 

As atrons, Curtis and Emma will continue their support of the charity by volunteering their time and acting as ambassadors for their amazing work. 

Curtis said: “I'm tremendously honoured to become a patron of CAFT, a charity I've championed for some years now.

"I've witnessed first-hand the important work the Adventure Farm delivers to children and families in need of kindness, care and support. I fondly recall my first visit to the Adventure Farm – the enthusiasm of the staff, the incredible facilities, and the love they show to their visitors - it gets under your skin. Visit once, you'll be a supporter for life.”

Emma echoed her husband’s sentiments: “I am delighted to be invited to join the team at CAFT as Patron. From my very first visit I have been awed and inspired by the wonderful work they do, making a positive impact on the lives of so many young people and their families. I feel honoured to be included and can't wait to get more involved on a more regular basis."

This was the fourth Meet the Author Day the charity has held with Curtis thanks to sponsors Cargill who help to make the day possible. 

They were also joined by volunteers from Bowker Saddler and were grateful to Subway for providing lunch. 

Waterstones in Warrington provided books at a discounted price, meaning each child went away with a book personally signed by Curtis.

The importance of the Author Day was summed up on social media by the mum of one of the children from St Peter’s who attended the day with her son and his classmates. 

Amanda said: “Thank you for a great day. Michael is loving reading Max Helsing, he's been making flip books and is totally inspired to be an author himself!”

To find out more about the Adventure Farm and how you can help, visit caft.co.uk