The mother of Jak Trueman who lost his life at the age of 15 has said that she looks back with pride on the things he was able to achieve as she remembered his life on the anniversary of his passing.
Jak tragically lost a courageous battle with a rare but aggressive cancer back in February 2016.
Before he passed away a charity, Team Jack, was set up by his mum Allison Barr so that they could help other young people as they go through treatment for cancer and other serious illnesses.
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Since launching the charity, a centre was set up for young people and their families in West Lothian called Jak’s Den which is situated in the town of Livingston, the Daily Record reports.
Other sites have also been opened in Fife and Aberdeen. These centres offer a safe and loving space for children and their families.
Staff and volunteers are on site to offer expert support and care as well as fun activities that distract children from their illnesses.
Allison says that although it was devastating to lose her son, both his sister Aimie and her take solace in the fact that they have helped so many people through the charity.
She said: “I miss everything about him, most especially his smile, hugs and general presence in the house.
“His smile always lit up our lives and his wicked sense of humour too.
“I miss watching him play football, listening to him in the band with his tuba and watching him in the house with his mates and girlfriend Hannah and hearing the buzz and laughter of them all being around.
“And I miss not seeing him grow into the amazing young man I knew he would be.”
Allison said she gets through the hardest of days by throwing herself into “making his dreams a reality”.
She thinks he would be quietly proud of the legacy he left behind, adding: “I think in true Jak style he wouldn’t say much, he’d be quietly chuffed, but you would most definitely know by that huge smile he would have all over his face.”
Allison said she and her family marked Jak’s “Angelversary” last Thursday by visiting his resting place in Edinburgh – and making sure her phone alarm goes off with one of his favourite songs at 3.18pm, the time he “gained his wings.”
Looking to the future, Allison said the charity is finally getting back to normality after covid and providing the full range of services.
“We’ve slowly reopened all our activities within Jaks Den HQ.
“We have also hosted a number of bell ringing parties in Jaks Den for children who have successfully completed treatment and rejoiced with them.
“But on the flip side we also have a very busy Angel Family group that meets once a month where we do memory-making activities with the children and young people and parents and grandparents have a coffee and chat then we all come together for a meal.
“We have also continued some of our activities online to reach more remote areas throughout Scotland or for those without transport including parent patter, angel parent patter, games sessions and TJAM music monthly.
“Another huge exciting development for us in the last few months has been returning to the oncology wards in Glasgow and Edinburgh hospitals and having our music therapist in Glasgow ward also.
“We now have 389 families registered throughout Scotland and we believe that may reach 500 by the end of the year due to us now being on the wards and reaching more families weekly also.
“It’s wonderful to know that all of Jak’s wishes are now being fulfilled and more.”
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