Jak Trueman’s family announce plans for lasting tribute to special teen
The family of teenage cancer sufferer Jak Trueman has announced plans to build a community facility specialising in helping others in his honour.
15-year-old Jak, of West Lothian, died on Monday following a six month battle with gamma delta T-cell lymphoma, a rare form of the disease.
He and his family captured the hearts of the country over the last few months by posting regular updates on his battle through a Facebook page Jak’s Journey.
Throughout they directed well-wishers to a JustGiving page, raising money for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research in Jak’s name, which currently sits at just over £53,000 raised.
On Tuesday Jak’s mum thanked everyone for donating and announced plans to now fundraise for the new facility to be called Jak’s Den.
My precious boy always put others first and we want to ensure Jak’s Den is a place where people come and feel welcome and at home and for a little while feel special courtesy of my beautiful boy
She said Jak’s vision was for a purpose built facility offering professional counselling services as well as sports and drama facilities and a café for cancer sufferers and neutropenic people who can't eat out in public for fear of infection.
There will also be a loud room, outdoor space for games, a music sensory area and eventually a quad bike area.
She added: “Team Jak will also continue strive to raise funds for Lymphoma research and also provide other gifts to cancer patients and their families in various forms.
“My precious boy always put others first and we want to ensure Jak’s Den is a place where people come and feel welcome and at home and for a little while feel special courtesy of my beautiful boy.”
A fundraising football match arranged in Jak's honour featuring former Rangers players Nacho Novo and Charlie Miller, Celtic legend Frank McAvennie and Hearts goalkeeper Neil Alexander will be held this Sunday at Livingston FC's Stadium.
Jak’s funeral, a celebration of his life, will take place on Tuesday, 10 February at 11am in Kirk O Calder, Mid Calder, then to St Drostans Cemetery, Markinch at 2pm. Jak has requested people wear something royal blue and Rangers scarves.
To donate directly to the Jak’s Den fund money can be paid in via TSB account 87-68-94, 79784063.
