‘Jordan would be doing somersaults’

Apr 15 2008 by Jule Wilson, The Journal

THE parents of an energetic teenage fundraiser who last year lost his battle with cancer launched a charity in his honour yesterday – with the help of a few famous faces.

Jordan Thompson, a promising footballer at Newcastle United Academy, was 15 when he lost his 18-month battle with myeloid leukaemia last September after a bone marrow transplant.

After his diagnosis in 2006, Jordan campaigned tirelessly to raise vital funds for a new Teenage Cancer Unit at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary.

Yesterday, with the Teenage Cancer Trust North East, Jordan’s parents Andrea, 39 and Dave, 41, and his younger sister Ellis, eight, of West Denton, Newcastle, launched the “Toma” Fund at St James’s Park, with a few words from local Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Cole and Newcastle player Steven Taylor.

In a video message, Cheryl Cole said: “Obviously as Newcastle is my home town I am honoured to be involved in such a great charity and raise awareness for it.

“Jordan made unbelievable efforts in raising money for the Teenage Cancer Trust before his untimely death and the new unit at the RVI will be a great tribute to Jordan’s short life.”

Steven Taylor said: “I knew Jordan from his time at the academy and he was a talented little player, so for me to be able to give something back by being a patron for his fund is just amazing.

“He was a great lad, very chirpy and confident and so many footballers get injured and complain about pain when it is nothing compared to what teenagers like Jordan go through.” At Newcastle’s derby match against Sunderland on Sunday, teenagers treated in the Teenage Cancer Unit with Jordan will make a collection in the ground and nearby bars. Steven said: “This a chance for players and fans alike to put their rivalries aside and give something back to an amazing local charity, so I urge everyone to dig deep and help make this unit a reality.”

Launching the Jordan David Thompson Memorial Fund For Teenage Cancer Trust North East, mum Andrea said: “He would be over the moon, as this was what he wanted and that’s why we have taken on his work where he left off. It means everything to us and Jordan would be doing somersaults on the pitch by now if he was here.”

Friends from the ward also paid tribute. Laura Howe, 20, of Middlesbrough, said: “We are all just so proud to be here. It’s just amazing to be able to launch this fund and Jordan would be very happy. I can just see him grinning from ear to ear – his head wouldn’t be able to fit through the door today.”

Jordan's impact

THE Journal first met football and fundraising star Jordan Thompson after his diagnosis in March 2006.

Jordan, then 13, was already signed with the Newcastle United Academy when he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia.

He was referred to the city’s Royal Victoria Infirmary.

Almost straightaway Jordan began to work with the Teenage Cancer Trust, working as a cameraman at the 2006 inaugural flagship fundraiser Bandstand, which raised thousands of pounds for the teenage cancer unit now nearing completion at the RVI.

Director Geoff Wonfor described him as one of the most talented youngsters he had come across, having taken to the technology like a natural.

Last September 18, The Journal reported Jordan’s death. A week later, we were at St James’s Park with Dave and Andrea for a minute’s applause in tribute to Jordan before a Magpies’ match against West Ham.

Tributes were also paid at the Bandstand concert last September and at the January launch of the competition Music Means Life, for Teenage Cancer Trust North East.