|
|
 |
| |
Jack Duval |
‘Jack was a joy to his school friends, a good pupil and a loyal, loving son’
Mother of boy, 10, killed in tragic road accident speaks of her precious memories
IN his Spurs shirt, Jack Duval was often outnumbered at Primrose Hill Primary School by kids in Arsenal shirts – but he didn’t care.
Whether his team was winning or losing, the 10-year-old, who died in a road accident, was never happier than when he was cheering on his Totttenham heroes in action.
Mourners who attended his funeral on Monday marked his loyal affection by arriving in Spurs scarves and shirts. His little coffin was appropriately blue and white.
Jack’s mother Androulla Artemi, 30, from Holborn, yesterday (Wednesday) shared her memories of the last year of her only child’s tragically short life.
She said: “No one can take away my memories of what we’ve shared in the last year. We’ve been on holiday to Cyprus and we spent three hours on a speed boat together. I remember him saying to me: ‘Mum, we’re really bonding now’.”
She added: “Jack was really eager to go to school in the last year – he was enthusiastic about his work.
“I took Jack to five Tottenham games as a Spurs fan. There weren’t many Spurs fans at his school – most people are Arsenal fans – but he loved going in with his kit on all the same.
“He wanted to play for the school team but he didn’t get picked. I had a word with the teacher and he was allowed to go and train with them. He loved that.”
A commemorative football tournament will be held in honour of Jack next summer in Coram’s Fields, Holborn.
Jack died at Great Ormond Street Hospital on November 7 after being hit with a car in Abbey Road, West Hampstead, the night before.
He had been playing with two friends but was hit by a black Citroen C3.
Ms Artemi added: “I just feel sorry for the driver. They are saying she is a midwife.
“It could happen to anybody. I empathise with her.”
She said she had donated Jack’s organs to five people in need, including a 22-month-old baby boy.
“It shows that something good can come of everything,” she said.
On Saturday, Ms Artemi released 100 balloons from Primrose Hill School, where Jack was regarded as one of the most popular children. A bench bearing his name will be placed in the playground.
An appeal has raised hundreds of pounds for a black marble headstone, complete with carved angel, to mark his resting place in St Pancras and Islington cemetery in East Finchley.
Around 300 people attended the funeral in the Greek Orthodox Church in Pratt Street, Camden Town.
Ms Artemi said: “I want to say thank you to everyone for all their support.
“The amount of love, help and support we have received has been deeply moving.”
A choir from the school sang Silent Night and All Things Bright and Beautiful and Jack’s school friend Aliyah Thomas, 11, read a poem she wrote in class.
Priest Father Vasilios, who conducted the service, said: “I never met Jack but in the brief time I spent with his family and at the school it was clear he was a joy to his friends, a good pupil and a loyal son.
“I have never in my life met anyone like his mother Androulla, who has dealt with tragedy in such a Christian and inspiring way.”
Poem by Aliyah Thomas, 11 |
 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
