Our story started in December 2016, early on a cold December morning a little boy was born into a large and loving family, He was the first child to Dan and Bec; James was impatient and wanted to make sure he was here well in time for Christmas, he was everything mummy and daddy ever wanted. One nanny was in the delivery room to see him take his first breaths, and his other nanny was just down the corridor with his uncle and auntie whose own little boy was just making his way into the world. His eyes full of wonder and love already flooding his heart he began his life. 

He had his nannies, granddads and great grandparents all eagerly awaiting his birth, alongside a 3 year old cousin, a 6 year old aunty , his new little cousin who was only 4 hours younger and many adult uncles ready to step into their roles. So many friends to grow with and look upto.

At 8 months James had his first febrile convulsion during a bout of tonsilitus. This became the norm whenever he became ill with a temperature, mummy and daddy become masters at reading the signs and was always on hand to ward off a temperature. James grew quickly, he wanted to be up and about as soon as he was able, you hear people say that some babies have old souls and that was James, he was a whirlwind, why crawl when you can walk was his motto. At 10 months he was as steady on his feet as any 2year old. He loved his art and playing with cars, sharing toys with his cousins and revelled in beating aunty Phoebe up. Whenever he came in a room you could feel his energy. In April 2018 James become a big brother, a role he took to easily, he loved playing with his little brother and helping mummy out. 

He would wait by the front door at 3.15pm everyday waiting for daddy to come home, his cheery greeting of "daddy's a scumbag" was always a winner. The world was his oyster and we all felt he was destined for great things. He followed in his mummy, daddys and families love of cars. The first disney cars film was one of his favourites and he could recite the script word for word.

On March the 7th 2019, James went along to watch his uncle play the piano in a concert, he was up singing and dancing along, making many people smile with his antics that night. He went home after making sure he kissed and cuddled everyone goodnight at least twice, as it meant he didn't have to leave as quick. He went home, got into his pjs, snuggled into bed and bid mummy and daddy goodnight. 

Just hours later his little brother awoke for a bottle and it became apparent that James had fallen into his forever sleep. Life changed early that morning. It would never be the same again, a part of all our lives was gone, it was as though a candle had been blown out when it was at his brightest. Mummy and Daddy had truly lost a light and gained an angel. 

The days, weeks and months that followed were the hardest anyone can face, there was no reasons why a happy, healthy and much loved little boy passed away in his sleep, no answers to burning questions, just emptiness. In May James started his final journey, he was escorted by over 80 cars of all makes (the noisier the better) and motorbikes. Families cars all took on the guise of disney car characters, drivers we did not know turned up in their race tuned mustangs, gtrs and more. The 'King' who is a replica of the King from cars and for the motor heads out there, a replica of Tom Pettys superbird, welcomed him at the crematorium. The kindness of others made that day a little bearable.

In time, we felt we needed to give James a legacy, something that he would live on through, and JB and ME was born, his mummy designed the bear and wrote and illustrated a book to accompany him and in turn we started to help others.

At the end of 2021 we were approached and asked if we could make use of a full size Disney commissioned Lightning McQueen, He was built as a promotional prop for the 2011 film premier of Cars 2, we jumped at the chance. He needs work, hes been unloved for a number of years and had parts robbed of him, but he's Lightning McQueen, one of James heroes. In the last year we have travelled 600 miles with him to a child's funeral, hes visited a childrens hospice to help raise funds for them and met with a lovely family whose little boy was facing his final days. We are working at restoring him thanks to the kindness of others and hope that this year he can reach more families and carry James's legacy forever.