Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Thousands raised to pay for tragic Jordan’s funeral
The family of a former Canterbury schoolboy killed in a freak jet-ski accident say they have been overwhelmed by donations to an online appeal set up to pay for his funeral.
More than £8,000 has already been raised through a Gofundme page launched by a friend of popular plumber Jordan Lupton, who died after being hit by a jetski on Saturday, May 27.
The 25- year- old was being pulled in a rubber ring off the coast of Hampton, near Herne Bay, when he was struck.
Friend Chloe Henson created the fundraising appeal on Friday and raised more than £6,000 within a day.
She wrote: “It was a tragic accident to happen to such a beautiful young man, a young life cut short. He had his whole life ahead of him. He deserves the very best send-off we could all possibly give him.”
The money will pay for Jordan’s funeral, with any extra cash given to the Kent Air Ambulance, which airlifted him to London after the accident.
His mum, Therese, told the Gazette yesterday (Wednesday): “I am completely flabbergasted. I didn’t know just how popular Jordan was, and I don’t think he really did either.
“The messages have given us a lot of support and I’ve taken a lot of comfort from the fact people have said he was a gentleman. It’s been nice to read and hear.
“We’d like to thank everyone who has donated. We’re overwhelmed.” Sports-mad Jordan died at King’s College Hospital in London and his body remains in the capital, meaning his family have not yet been able to make funeral arrangements.
“We haven’t even been able to get a death certificate yet,” Mrs Lupton said. “There’s probably going to be an autopsy and then an inquest.”