CHRISTY JORDAN RIP - Guard of Honour & Charity Collection Saturday 20 May 2017

“Christy's legacy will support The Brain Tumour charity specifically, it is important for us that this condition, that effects around 30 children a year nationally, is in the spotlight.” Garry Jordan

Dear All,

Please read all and circulate as widely as possible. All welcome.

All club assistance required this Saturday 20 May 2017 please. Final update & timings below.

As many will know . It is with extreme extreme sadness, that I have to report the utterly devastating and heartbreaking news that our dear friend and Beccehamian RFC Under 11s team mate, Christy Jordan, passed away at home on Wednesday 10 May 2017. Christy courageously had been battling a Brain Tumour since December 2015.

Christy joined Beccs at the very beginning of our mini's age group, at 5 years old in 2011, and loved everything about rugby, the environment, and his club. He was 10 years old, just 2 weeks short of his 11th birthday.

Christy's Funeral will take place on Saturday 20 May at 10am. On behalf of the entire club, a card of condolence has been personally delivered, and a rugby ball of flowers ordered for the funeral.

Having visited the family at home on Saturday 13 May. They have decided that before going to the mass, their wish is that Christy's final journey will include driving past his loved Beccs (despite the church being a few hundred yards from their home in Shirley), quite incredible. Christy will also be buried in his treasured Beccs replica 1st XV shirt .

YOUR HELP REQUIRED PLEASE
As a mark of respect, and to do their gesture justice, we (Beccs) are planning to recognise this by forming a "guard of honour" with as many people as possible for the "drive-by" procession. Ideally this will be all the way from the roundabout on Addington Road, up to the club entrance on Corkscrew Hill (& even upto the War Memorial) , everyone to join together in applause whilst the entire procession happens please.

Could we please urge as many Beccehamians as feasibly possible, and it is also open to the local community and our fellow rugby family at other clubs, to pay our respects to the family and one of our own. Our aim is to provide as much love, support, and strength for the Jordan family at this heart-breaking time.

Please attend, in Beccs attire of any description .... eg.... hooped shirt , blazers, hoodys, tour shirts, shorts ,socks, Beccs flags etc ..... let's do this justice.

Final Update Timings
Please be in place by 09:10am at the latest. Funeral procession expected at approx 09:15am. Arriving at the roundabout junction of Addington Road (approaching along the "mad mile" from Addington) and Corkscrew Hill. The funeral director will get out of the car at the roundabout, and walk in front, up past the club and beyond.

Charitable Donations
Specific family request for no further flowers please. Charitable donations please to "The Brain Tumour Charity" - "....Christy's legacy will involve this charity specifically for children's brain tumours ... it is important for us that this condition that effects c.30 children a year nationally is in the spotlight".

The club will therefore have buckets available for a collection on Saturday morning at the procession . We will arrange an electronic transfer of the collection, and report back on what has been kindly donated.

Parking
Please park away from the club when the car park is full, and be respectful of local residents. The road on both sides from the club to the roundabout will be "coned-off" , in order to allow people to stand on both sides of the road, and therefore create a "clear passage" for the drive-by procession. Help required returning the cones afterwards would be appreciated.

Police Support
Beccs would also like to extend our huge thanks to PC James Watkins, and the local safer neighbourhood police officers, who have very kindly not only agreed to attend and support the occasion, but have also changed their shift patterns in order to do so.

Memorial Festival
Furthermore, Beccs are very proud to announce that the Jordan family have accepted the club's invitation to re-name our mini rugby festival "The Christy Jordan Memorial Beccehamian mini rugby festival" (the main festival for all mini age groups U7s-U12s held annually, in March, over two weekends).

Crystal Palace F.C.
Christy and his dad, Garry, were also keen followers and season ticket holders at Crystal Palace. In his memory during Crystal Palace's home game on Sunday 14 May, fans held a moving one minute applause on the 10th minute of the game (in recognition of his age) in his memory.

England Rugby Mascot
Christy very proudly was one of the England mascot's for the 6 Nations game against Wales in March 2016.

Thank you to everyone, in advance for your support, greatly appreciated. Any queries please let me know.

Best wishes
Daniel Kemp,
Beccehamian RFC Under 11s Coach.

(07876 215584 or dlkempy@gmail.com)

Updated 19:30 - 2 Sep 2019 by Daniel Kemp