PUBLIC health minister Aileen Campbell paid a moving tribute to the parents of 10-year-old Jayden Orr —  and promised to meet with them in a show of support for our ‘Show Some Heart’ campaign.

She praised their courage and strength during an emotional debate in parliament, led by local MSP Stuart McMillan, which spoke of the tragic death of the Port Glasgow youngster last August and the urgent need for more defibrillators in public places.

His devastated parents Kathleen and John Orr, supported by Jayden’s sister Kerri and brother Declan, looked on as MSPs from all sides of the parliament made heartfelt contributions.

The family and the Tele have joined forces to mount a campaign to put the life-saving machine into every school in Inverclyde in Jayden’s memory, which has already raised a five-figure sum.

Speaking at the end of the debate, Ms Campbell said: “I would like to thank Jayden’s family for their generous work and I want to assure them the memory of Jayden will live on in their continued efforts to raise awareness and help others.

“He sounds like an incredible young lad and we’ll certainly look to do all we can to ensure that his experience does not go in vain.

“We will meet with the family to make sure that the work that is being done by the government is complimentary and reaches the most people.”

The minister was responding to MSPs, who whole-heartedly supported our ‘Show Some Heart’ campaign, set up in unison with Jayden’s family.

Inverclyde MSP Stuart McMillan, who has vowed to support the family and brought the campaign to the Scottish Parliament through his members’ bill opened the debate.

In the chamber he said: “Show Some Heart is a campaign established by the Orr family in memory of their precious son.

“The Orr family saw their son take to the ice to practice his beloved ice skating not knowing it would be the last time.

“Jayden loved ice skating, it was his passion and he was good at it. He won many competitions and awards and he was a hardworking and determined young man wanting to always improve himself on the ice. He wanted to be the best.

“On August 4, Jayden collapsed on the ice and died shortly afterwards. As a result of this tragedy, Jayden’s parents, bravely, wanted to highlight the importance of defibrillator machines and their availability in public places. The ‘Show Some Heart’ campaign was launched in January this year with a target of reaching £50,000 to fund a defibrillator machine in every school in Inverclyde.

“The Greenock Telegraph have been instrumental in collating aspects of the campaign and I would like to put on the record my gratitude to them for that but also for the sensitive way they have reported any stories about Jayden, his family and the campaign.

“I am fully behind the campaign as are the Inverclyde public.”

He also joined the family in supporting the need for more defibrillators to be registered with the Scottish Ambulance Service.

Both the minister and the MSPs were visibly moved as they spoke about the tragic death of Jayden and the incredible courage of his family in taking up the fight.

Mr McMillan’s words were followed by speeches from other members including Neil Bibby, list MSP, and Gourock-born MS and former Tele reporter, Joan McAlpine.

Speaking afterwards, the Inverclyde MSP said: “In all of this we can never forget that a 10-year-old boy has died. Kathleen, John and their family have shown so much courage to try to save other people’s lives.

“I hope that the debate in parliament can help them achieve this.”

Ms Campbell spoke with Jayden’s parents afterwards and thanked them for all the work they are doing and vowed to meet with them.