Tom Jordan Memorial Fund

In March 2024 I became the President of West Heaton Tennis, Bowling and Squash Club. My chosen charity for the year is The England Amputee Football Association. The family connection comes through son, Tom, who proudly played and captained the team over several years.

As a sports-mad teenager, Tom had just been picked to play for England under 16s at lacrosse, when he contracted cancer for the first time. He was treated for a tumour on his knee at the Christie Hospital in Manchester and eventually had his knee replaced. This ended any chance of playing contact sport. Tom’s response was to take up golf. He became quite proficient and continued studying for a degree in law.

Sadly, the cancer returned when he was 20. On this occasion, following further treatment at the Christie, he had his left leg and part of his pelvis amputated. His response to his situation was to take up playing amputee football. Tom very quickly fell in love with the game and rose through the ranks to join the England squad. Very soon he became captain and represented his country in many parts of the world.

He worked proudly as an ambassador for the Christie Hospital speaking and raising money on behalf of the teenage cancer trust. He travelled on one occasion to make the keynote speech at a conference of healthcare professionals and MPs in Sydney, Australia. When the cancer returned for a third time (this time in his spine), Tom had to accept that his journey was coming to an end.

He sadly died in June 2014, six days short of his 30th birthday. As his father, I was able to tell Tom on many occasions what an inspirational person he had become. The EAFA present the TJ4 (Tom Jordan No.4) award annually at their presentations, to the person making the greatest contribution to the organisation. There are so many others who are following Tom’s path in the EAFA. Tom’s legacy helped to fund junior development for the amputees.

During my year as president, I am hoping to raise some funds in memory of Tom on behalf of this great group of young men and women. The England amputee squad would be extremely grateful for anything that you feel you could manage to donate. Many thanks for taking the time to read Tom’s story. Be assured that every penny of your donation goes to assisting these wonderful and inspirational young people.