Mother of nine-year-old who was killed by lightning pays tribute to her ‘selfless’ son

The mother of nine-year-old Jordan Banks who died after being struck by lightning has paid an emotional tribute to her ‘selfless’ and ‘fun-loving’ son who was ‘beyond loved’.

Danielle Begg, 38, described how ‘everyday is a struggle’ as she and her family continued to come to terms with the death of her ‘irreplaceable’ son after he was killed while playing football in Blackpool. 

The schoolboy died on May 11 after being struck by lightning on Common Edge playing fields in South Shore, Blackpool, on School Road at 5.05pm after a storm suddenly hit without warning.  

In a moving tribute, Ms Begg said she and her family were doing all they could do ‘keep going for Jordan and carry on his legacy’. 

Danielle Begg (pictured with son Jordan), 38, paid tribute to her nine-year-old son Jordan Banks who died after being struck by lightning

The schoolboy died on May 11 after being struck by lightning in South Shore, Blackpool, after a storm suddenly hit without warning

The schoolboy died on May 11 after being struck by lightning in South Shore, Blackpool, after a storm suddenly hit without warning

She told Lancashire Live: ‘Jordan was selfless, he wanted to help everyone. Whether that was a friend at school, a charity, a homeless person.

‘He couldn’t understand why the world would ever be cruel and wanted everyone to be happy. Only a few days earlier I had been raising money for Brian House children’s hospice, and had told Jordan about the work they did.

‘Little did we know we would be one of their families. He was a joy, full of life. Cheeky and fun-loving.

‘Everything was an adventure and we were part of it. Proud doesn’t come close to what we feel for everything he’s done and continues to do.

‘He had empathy and could sense people’s feelings. What ever ”it” is he had it. I think whoever met him instantly liked him you couldn’t not.’ 

Liverpool fan Jordan played as number 7 for the Clifton Rangers Bees Under 9s side and was having one-on-one coaching at the time of his death. 

Following his death, hundreds paid tribute to the fundraising hero, who left sweets for 999 workers during lockdown and ran 30 miles to fundraise for mental health charities in honour of his uncle who took his own life, by posting nine ball emojis on Twitter.   

Sir Kenny Dalglish, James Milner and Robbie Fowler were among Jordan’s LFC heroes to pay tribute to him along with stars of his favourite TV show Cobra Kai.

The reds wore Jordan Banks, number 7, shirts ahead of their clash with Manchester United on May 13. 

Ms Begg said the outpouring of tributes had been ‘overwhelming’ and that she and her family had ‘taken comfort in the kindness’ shown by family, friends and members of the public.

Liverpool fan Jordan played as number 7 for the Clifton Rangers Bees Under 9s side

Liverpool fan Jordan played as number 7 for the Clifton Rangers Bees Under 9s side

The nine-year-old was a charity hero who raised money for a mental health cause in honour of uncle

The nine-year-old was a charity hero who raised money for a mental health cause in honour of uncle

Tributes were paid to the nine-year-old boy on social media following his death earlier this month

Tributes were paid to the nine-year-old boy on social media following his death earlier this month

Blackpool Tower lit up in red in tribute to nine-year-old Jordan Banks following his death

Blackpool Tower lit up in red in tribute to nine-year-old Jordan Banks following his death

She added: ‘The tributes have been overwhelming. We have taken comfort in the kindness of our friends and family but also the strangers who never got the pleasure to meet Jordan.

‘He would have loved seeing the Liverpool players with his name on, the Cobra Kai tweets and the sports cars with his name on too. But it’s also the little things, handmade items, cards, gifts for the kids that mean so much.

‘We’ve had post without our address on and just saying Jordan and it’s arrived. It means so much and even though we can’t thank everyone individually we really appreciate it. He was beyond loved.’     

Ms Begg said that ‘every day is a struggle’ but she and her family were doing all they could to ‘keep going for Jordan and carry on his legacy’.

She added: ‘Everyday is a struggle, as a family we are doing all we can to keep going for Jordan and carry on his legacy. His sisters and brother give us strength.

‘Nobody should have to loose a child, we take comfort in that his organs were donated and he would have helped others yet again.

‘He is irreplaceable, a one off. And we just hope that this was his destiny. He had done all he could here and was needed elsewhere.

‘We won’t stop doing what he had been doing all his life. And hope that others stop and look at their own lives, kids, and be a bit more Jordan. Take those risks, dance, sing, live every moment. 

Last week father Matt Banks said his son's donated organs had helped save three other children

Last week father Matt Banks said his son’s donated organs had helped save three other children

Liverpool players warm up wearing T-shirts with Jordan's No.7  on their backs in honour of the nine-year-old Liverpool fan

Liverpool players warm up wearing T-shirts with Jordan’s No.7  on their backs in honour of the nine-year-old Liverpool fan

‘Go on family days out, be kind and help others. Life is too precious to waste. Like Jordan, it’s a gift.’ 

Last week the father of Jordan Banks said his son’s donated organs had helped save three other children since he was tragically killed in the lightning strike.

An emotional message on behalf of Matt Banks was posted on Facebook two days after his son suddenly died while on a playing field. 

The post read: ‘I couldn’t have been prouder of him, always putting other people [before] himself, such a selfless little person. 

‘Even now his kindness has meant that three other children may be able to live, as he always told us he wanted to be able to help other people if he could, so [he] was a donor and has donated, which we know will be what he wanted.’ 

He added: ‘Literally words can’t even explain how heartbroken I am… not only have I lost my little boy I have lost my little best mate. We would sit and talk for hours about his future and he would always ask me what I wanted his children to call me and we both decided on papi…

‘So the real message I wanted to put across is that I never took anything for granted and I always made sure we had quality family time and did whatever I could to show him how much he was loved and how special and beautiful he was.

‘So what I ask of anyone with children cherish every moment even moments that seem to insignificant right now.. picking them up from school, putting them to bed at night, making them a drink have tea time together.. as you never know when moments like that will be taken away from you.

‘It only feels like yesterday I was making Jordan a brew, putting him to bed, getting kisses, squeezing him and playing with him. Don’t take any time for granted as you may end up wishing you had more like me!

‘So please please if you are busy and they might want to play a game or watch something with you just find time because it’s priceless.’