PARENTS HELP ORPHANS IN MEMORY OF TRAGIC TEEN SON THEY LOST

THE tragedy of losing a child is one no parent should experience, but one family is using the horrific experience to build a legacy in his name at a Bali orphanage.

Jack Price, 18, from Gower, Swansea, took his own life in January 2015, leaving parents Richard and Claire, and sister Katie, devastated.

The family said there were no words to describe the pain they felt but they became determined to do some good in Jack’s memory.

As part of his job running a shop in Swansea, Jack’s father Richard used to travel out to Bali regularly with the family, and it became a place very close to their hearts.

In 2008 the family visited an orphanage on the Indonesian island, started by British woman Alison Chester, called the Jodie O’Shea Orphanage – named after a girl who died when a car bomb went off in Kuta in 2002.

Since Jack’s death, and having relocated to Bali, Richard, Claire and Katy have set up The Jack Price Project to help raise money for the orphanage and carry out essential improvements to the facility.

Graham Morse, 45, from Uplands, Swansea, family friend and member of The Jack Price Project, said the charity would create a legacy in Jack’s name and keep his memory alive.

He said: “Jack died in January 2015 and it took a year before Richard and Claire were be able to focus on anything.

“It’s taken nine months for us to get to this point and it’s starting to motor now.

“Nothing can ever change that this has had a hugely devastating effect on the family and, as close friends, we can’t change that, but we can do something positive going forward.

“Jack was very much a part of the trips to Bali so it makes sense to do this in his name and to hopefully do something positive from an awful situation.

“Everything we are doing is in Jack’s name. We called it The Jack Price Project because it adds a real weight to what we are doing.

“It helps Jack’s name to go on and help other kids.”

Projects that Richard and Claire are undertaking out at the orphan- age in Bali include carrying out ongoing maintenance, plumbing, electrics, drainage, general wear and tear, and providing clean clothes, bedding and food.

The couple are also looking at providing conversational English lessons with kids, and are looking at opening a coffee shop to provide employment opportunities to the children at the orphanage once they turn 18.

Graham said: “These kids, from babies to teenagers, are left to the m mercy of the volunteers.

“In the longer term, we could l look at extending the orphanage and years down the line we could see The Jack Price Orphanage.

“We’re hoping to set up a large p project as money comes in.”

While Richard and Claire are on t the ground, friends and family back home in Wales are busy fundraising.

Richard’s brother Tom, also a member of the Jack Price Project, is taking part in the Gower Ultra 50 to raise money, and an auction and raffle night will be held at Pennard Golf Club on November 18.

A charity cricket match was also held in July, which included raffle prizes such as a Swansea City signed shirt.

Writing on the project’s website, Richard and Claire said: “It’s hard to imagine having any kind of longterm plan for a future without Jack, but the work we have started and will continue to build upon in Bali with the children is enough of a focus, along with giving Katie the chance to study her A-levels in one of the most beautiful places in the world.”

Visit the website www. thejackpriceproject.com/ to make a donation to the project.