THE parents of a young ice-skater who died suddenly have vowed to save as many lives as they can in his memory. 

Port Glasgow couple John and Kathleen Orr have set up a new charity in honour of their late son Jayden.

It is called Jayden’s Rainbow, with a fundraising shop in Greenock town centre being opened in the 10-year-old’s name.

Jayden, who was a popular pupil at Newark Primary, died suddenly while skating at an ice rink in Ayrshire last August.

John and Kathleen have spoken about their incredibly gifted and popular son who was much loved by everyone he knew.

Now they want to raise money to put life-saving defibrillators in local sports centres, schools or wherever else they are needed.

Since setting up the charity, the whole family have been overwhelmed by an outpouring of support from the people of Inverclyde.

Jayden’s mum Kathleen said: “I want to help Jayden live on through helping others. 

“As a family we decided that this was the right thing to do.

“We chose a rainbow because Jayden had such a bright, colourful personality and a rainbow makes us think of him.

“He was just so full of character.

“Jayden was bubbly and would help absolutely everyone — it was just the way he was.

“The people of Inverclyde have been amazing by supporting us.

“We never expected this and we can’t thank them enough.”

Jayden tragically died while training with the Magnum Figure Skating Club at Auchenharvie Leisure Centre in Stevenson on August 4 last year.

John said: “We cannot thank the staff enough for everything they did.

“They were outstanding, all of them. 

“There was a defibrillator at the club but it wasn’t used and we understand that it wouldn’t have made a difference in the circumstances.”

But Kathleen added: “It shows though that you never know when something like that will happen and there should always be one available.

“I never expected to take Jayden ice skating that night and for him never to come back home.”

The devoted parents spoke about how Jayden took to his favourite sport straight away and never looked back.
Proud dad John, 38, who works in construction, said: “I believe that Jayden had what it took to go as far as he wanted to go. 

“Now it is my turn not to let him down.”

Kathleen and John have vowed to devote everything they have to get Jayden’s Rainbow off the ground and leave a lasting legacy.

The charity shop they have opened is already full of donations handed in over the last few weeks.

The couple are looking at not only providing defibrillators but also arranging training for anyone who needs to use them.

Kathleen and John are researching the most suitable machines and they have lined up the support of Northern Resus Training to come to Inverclyde to carry out sessions.

Together with daughter Kerri Lynn, 20, brother Declan, 17, and Jayden’s grandparents Peter and Violet Sutherland, they have been working round the clock to get the shop set up.

Kerri has also set up a Jayden’s Rainbow page on Facebook which has given everyone on social media a chance to show their support.

As part of the fundraising effort new Jayden’s Rainbow wristbands, which include the words ‘skating with the angels’, will be on sale in the shop.

The shop, in Jamaica Street, has its official opening on Saturday at 10am with local charity champion Tommy ‘the clown’ Armstrong.

The event runs from 10am to 4pm.