Knowing folk are enjoying a bit of festive spirit in Jodie’s name will do for me. That’s all I need..
Tragic teen’s mum serves up feast for the homeless
A CHARITY set up in memory of a schoolgirl who died from a hidden heart condition laid on Christmas dinner for the homeless.
The Jodie Muir Memorial Trust have raised thousands since the tragedy and recently launched their first heart screening programme.
But the popular teenager’s mum, Laura McArthur, has also worked tirelessly for to the community in Glasgow’s east end.
This Christmas she provided a three-course meal at Parkhead Congregational Church for 120 homeless, eldery and needy.
Deli owner Laura said: “The people of the east end really helped me when Jodie died and I wanted to give something back.
“I could have been left with nothing after Jodie died but I had good family and friends behind me.”
Last month, Laura, 42, also launched a pop-up service for the homeless in Glasgow city centre.
Based in Cadogan Street, they provide food and essentials such as sleeping bags to the needy.
Laura said: “We started off with three and now we have 50 to 60 people a night.
“We see a difference in people we help and they have now got their fighting spirit back.”
Laura said the experience has also taught her daughter Taylor, 13, that there is a different side to life.
Jodie died in her sleep in August 2014 after returning home from a house party in Rutherglen.
The day after the tragedy, police said there were suggestions her death was linked to ecstasy and warned other kids to beware.
Test results later confirmed Jodie had not taken any drugs.
Despite her work with the needy, chef Laura said the focus of the charity is heart screening.
But they can only afford to do 200
a year, which costs £9000. The first saw 156 treated on the day.
At the event – held at Jodie’s old school Eastbank Academy in Shettleston in September – eight people were diagnosed with heart abnormalities. One girl has since had a pacemaker fitted.
It’s estimated that 12 kids die suddenly every week in the UK from undetected heart conditions.
Laura’s charity work has been helped by Parkhead Congregational Church minister Rev Jack Graham, who let them use the church.
Laura said the Christmas dinner helped her to cope with a day that always starts in the cemetery.
She said: “I’ll go and see Jodie in the morning. Knowing that people are then going to sit down, be fed and enjoy a bit of Christmas spirit in Jodie’s name will do for me.
“That’s all I need.” SUDDEN DEATH Jodie Muir