When 15-year-old Jak Trueman passed away after a brave fight with cancer he left his family and everyone who knew him heartbroken.
But before he died, he said he was determined to make life a little easier for children and young people who were also suffering from cancer and other serious illness.
He set up the Team Jak with his mum Allison Barr and sister Aimee and since then the charity has opened sites in West Lothian and beyond offering counselling and activities to youngsters and their families.
The charity and its achievements have been hailed a “wonderful legacy” to Jack, who was a popular musician and football star.
To help spread awareness of the charity and everything Jak accomplished, an annual football festival has been held in his honour for at his former school, West Calder Community High.
This year’s event was held last week and was described as “a special and emotional day for all”, with more than 1000 students taking part.
The Team Jak Festival of Football invites children and young people from across the WCHS cluster and surrounding communities to participate in a fun event that promotes inclusion and wellbeing, and raises awareness of the Team Jak charity and how this links with West Calder High School.
The event was organised and supported by staff and young people (sports academy pupils) from WCHS working in partnership with staff from the Team Jak charity.
His mum Allison said: “So many of Jak’s former teachers came up and every single one mentioned his smile being the thing they remembered most.
“All were blown away by his legacy and the insight he had for a 15-year-old boy.
“The key objectives of the Team Jak Festival of Football is to introduce an annual mass participation event to raise awareness of the Team Jak charity.
“It’s also to raise funds and awareness for the Team Jak charity and support the legacy of Team Jak and Jak Trueman in the school.”
Allison continued: “The festival was based around Team Jak values; ambition, compassion, collaboration, creativity, empowerment and smiles in honour of our smiley Jak.”
Allison said Jak’s granddad Walter Barr had the honour of addressing every single year group plus the feeder primaries who took part – around 1100 pupils in total and shared how Team Jak has grown from “one teenager’s insight and loved experience”.
He ended each talk saying how we all have hope and that each and every pupil should believe in themselves even if nothing seems good – and in the words of Jak – be happy!
Allison continued: “Each pupil received a Team Jak wristband
and a beautiful ribbon beautifully made of blue and yellow ribbon representing Jak and childhood cancer made by a number of fabulous S5 and S6 girls and some fabulous staff.
“It was a very emotional and special reminder of the beautiful ribbons Ms Mackie and Mrs Young made when Jak died for his funeral and sold for Team Jak to raise funds thereafter.
“Then the huge surprise of a brass group playing throughout
the day led by Mrs Young which was very emotional but such a lovely touch.”
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