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Parents receive heartwarming gift to honour the memory of young Sheffield Wednesday supporter Jude
A Sheffield family has received a touching handmade gift commemorating their son Jude, who died of neuroblastoma at age five in September 2023. The young Sheffield Wednesday enthusiast was previously honoured on a mural located near Hillsborough Stadium that pays tribute to deceased club supporters. Model-maker Damien Kennedy created a miniature replica of the mural specifically for the family without charge, inspired by their story and their involvement with PACT, a charity that supports children undergoing cancer treatment and their families.
Jude's parents, including father Arron who formerly played goalkeeper for Sheffield Wednesday, and mother Lucy, serve as trustees for PACT and expressed deep appreciation for both Kennedy's generosity and the charity's work. The family emphasised how significant it is to have a personal version of the memorial displayed in their home, particularly knowing their son is remembered so prominently near the stadium. Kennedy described feeling privileged to support the family, with the anniversary of the original mural's unveiling falling on the same day as this gift.
In short
- Sheffield parents receive a handcrafted miniature model honouring their five-year-old son Jude, who died of neuroblastoma in 2023
- Model-maker Damien Kennedy donated the gift, which replicates a mural near Hillsborough Stadium that memorialises the young Sheffield Wednesday supporter
- The family are trustees of PACT charity, which provides support to children with cancer and their families
Explained simply
Jude was a five-year-old Sheffield Wednesday supporter who died of neuroblastoma, a type of childhood cancer, in September 2023. His parents Arron, a former Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper, and Lucy now work as trustees for PACT, a charity that supports families of children undergoing cancer treatment.
Following Jude's death, a mural was created near Hillsborough Stadium to honour deceased club supporters, with Jude included in the tribute. Such tributes allow communities to remember young people within the places they loved during their lives.
The family recently received a handmade miniature replica of the mural from model-maker Damien Kennedy. Having a personal copy at home means they can keep Jude's memory close whilst he is also publicly honoured near the stadium.