A SPECIAL concert next week will celebrate what should have been Jordan Trowsdale’s 16th birthday.
The gig at the Northgate End youth centre in Bishop’s Stortford comes just over two years after the teenager drowned in the River Stort on Christmas Eve 2009 as he made his way home in treacherous icy conditions.
His mum Fiona hopes the music memorial will raise money for some of his favourite good causes.
As well as being a big music fan, Jordan was passionate about wildlife. After his funeral, mourners made donations to Animal Aid and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in addition to the Midshires Search and Rescue Team, which worked in vain to find the youngster on the night he disappeared.
The beneficiary of this latest fund-raiser will be the World Society for the Protection of Animals, which is working with Asian governments to outlaw bear-bile farming. “I know that Jordan felt very passionately about that,” said Fiona.
She is organising the event with some of Jordan’s friends from Birchwood High School and they have lined up three as yet unnamed bands to play next Friday (Jan 27).
Since he died, a month short of his 14th birthday, Jordan has continued to be an inspiration to his pals.
On the second anniversary of his death, many joined his family on Sworder’s Field, where he was last seen alive, and released dozens of brightly coloured lanterns, which sailed high into the sky to mark his passing.
A tree near the skate park where he spent many happy hours with his mates is a living memorial to the youngster, who had also been a pupil at Summercroft Primary School in the town.
Fiona said she had been comforted by the continuing support, but it had been bitter-sweet coming to terms with her loss as she watched Jordan’s classmates growing up.
“I think of what could have been – and what would he be like?” she said. “It’s quite incredible to see them [his friends] as they look so grown up.
“But he still means so much to so many people still.”
The gig will start at 7.45pm and entry on the door will cost £2. The event is open only to youngsters aged 15-plus.
