The former school pals of a teenager who suffered a fatal heart attack after jumping into a swimming pool while on a family holiday in Turkey were among those who gathered to remember him days before the 10th anniversary of his death.
Almost £100,000 has been raised to fund heart screening sessions for young people since Jordan Burndred, of Biddulph, died aged just 17. It was later found that he had an undetected heart defect.
And thanks to a memorial fun day held at Knypersley Sports Club last Saturday, a few thousand more was donated towards the Cry (Cardiac Risk in the Young) charity, which is working to reduce the frequency of young sudden cardiac death.
The event was organised by Jordan’s mum Nicola, who has also helped to stage annual Cry screenings in Biddulph each year since she lost her son.
The fun day included a charity football match organised by Brad Elliot, Jordan’s friend from school. He asked many of their friends to go along so they could all remember Jordan.
A DJ played music during the day, there was a human fruit machine, a raffle and a variety of stalls along with performances from SCDC Dance School of Stoke-on-Trent.
Ms Burndred said: “It was planned to go ahead outside but with Storm Amy’s high winds, we had to make the decision to take it inside.
“With a few tears along the way we managed to pull off such an amazing day.” The day raised £2,000 for Cry, edging the total raised towards £100,000 in Jordan’s memory.
Speaking to the “Chronicle” ahead of last year’s Cry screenings in Biddulph, Mrs Burndred said they acted as counselling sessions for her.
“We are always greeting people and repeating Jordan’s story. But I also see it as a good counselling session for myself. I think it’s what’s kept me going through the years, to be honest.”
She added: “During the screening days we always display posters and banners with Jordan’s face on so everyone knows who he was and what the screenings are all about.”
(Photo: Nicola Burndred).
