Jayden’s legacy is set to be respite for other families
Family’s charity allows others to have a break
The parents of a brave teenager who inspired more than £300,000 of fundraising as he battled a brain tumour have now set up a charity to support other families in the same position. Jayden Powell, from West Malling, was diagnosed during an eye test in 2017 and spent much of the following year travelling to the Hallwang Clinic in Germany for immunotherapy, not available on the NHS. Friends, family and the wider community rallied to donate thousands of pounds to help fund his treatment, and he seemed to be responding well, but suffered a sudden infection and cruelly died just days before he was due to celebrate his 18th birthday.
The parents of the former Aylesford School pupil have faced obstacles in their bid to set up a charity in his memory, but have now received their registration number and are finally able to offer help to those going through the same heartbreaking ordeal they suffered.
Jayden’s family have been holding a series of events, and will continue to do so throughout the year, to raise enough money for a caravan at the Romney Sands holiday park, where a bench in memory of the brave teen has also been installed. The caravan can then be used by bereaved families, or those with ill children, as part of a holiday package to provide some much-needed respite. In launching the FamilyForeverJP charity, more than £1,500 of tickets have been sold for a raffle, in which a week-long trip to Spain will be given away in a live online draw later this year. However, Jayden’s loved ones are looking to push even more sales, while also looking to get a text donation number and encouraging local shops to feature their collection tins.
Dad Steve said: “We work closely with Ellenor nurses who will identify families to us who might be most suitable, and most deserving of a little break. “We want to give people a week or two weeks away, with all expenses paid, as well as days out to places like Alton Towers. “So many people have helped us over the last couple of years and so we want to try and give something back. When we were going through it all, we just found that we had to get away. We hit wall after wall throughout the process.
“We’re also hoping to do a dance competition throughout the summer, plus a summer or Christmas ball, with live bands and a nice three-course meal.” To donate, or find out more, visit familyforeverjp.com
‘So many people have helped us over the last couple of years and so we want to try and give something back. We found we had to get away’