Family and friends to celebrate life of hero
A MUM whose life was saved by her son says she wants his funeral to be a celebration of his life.
Sam Ord paid an emotional tribute to her ‘hero’ son Ross Parker last week, revealing how he had sacrificed his own life to save hers.
The pair, from Leigh, had been walking on the beach in Dorset, where Ross had moved to in September, hoping for a fresh start.
But tragedy struck when they crossed a small channel and a wave hit the back of Sam’s legs, causing her to fall over in the water.
Ross, 24, held her down to stop her being washed into the sea, but when a big wave came and scooped the pair up, it sent Sam in the direction of the beach and Ross tragically out to sea.
Despite a huge search operation from the coastguard and helicopters, they were unable to rescue Ross. His body was found the following morning at nearby Hive beach.
Sam, who works at Stephensons Solicitors in Wigan, has spent the days since the tragedy, on November 3, trying to come to terms with what happened and says it’s the support of family, friends and even complete strangers - as well as making plans for the funeral - that has kept her going.
The funeral will be at Howe Bridge Crematorium at 1pm on Monday, followed by an ‘after-party’ at Leigh East ARLFC, in Ledgard Avenue, Leigh.
“Anyone who knew Ross is welcome to come along,” said Sam.
As a big fan of music and Manchester City, Sam is incorporating her son’s passions into the funeral.
Mourners will head into the crematorium to City song Hey Jude and leave with David Bowie’s Kooks.
Manchester City have sent condolences and will be sending a wreath to the funeral, as have the organisers of a cocktail-making competition, in which Ross had reached the final.
Sam said: “It’s not going to be religious at all as we’re not religious and Ross wouldn’t want that. It’s just going to be people sharing their own stories about him.”
Ross’s coffin will be draped in a Manchester City flag and on top will be a photo of him making cocktails, as well as a cocktail-making set.
Ross is currently at Abbey Funeral Care, in Chapel Street, Leigh, and friends are welcome to call there to arrange to see him.