The father of a little boy who is believed to have died after being struck by lightning says his son’s donated organs could help save the lives of three other people.
Jordan Banks, nine, died after being seriously injured on a football field in Blackpool shortly after 5pm on Tuesday.
His father Matt Banks said his son’s organ donation would help three other children live.
Writing on Facebook Mr Banks paid tribute to his “amazing son”.
“He had the biggest heart and would do anything for anyone,” he said.
“I couldn’t of been prouder of him always putting other people 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 was a donor and has donated, which we know will be what he wanted.”
Jordan enjoyed football, martial arts and fashion according to his father who recalled how he would change his outfits three times daily.
He was taking part in a private catching session when he was struck by a bolt of lightening at the Common Edge Road area of Blackpool, the BBC reported.
Police officers and paramedics attended the scene and the boy was taken to hospital where he died a short while later.
Mr Banks recalled cherished memories between him and his son following the freak incident.
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.
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“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.
“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.”
Liverpool star James Milner, 35, paid his respects to Jordan on Thursday, citing the club’s famous motto “you’ll never walk alone.”
Alongside a picture of Jordan, he said “a special boy taken far too son. RIP Jordan YNWA.”
Just months prior, the team vice-captain had praised Jordan for his fundraising heroics.
Two GoFundMe pages were set up in memory of the Liverpool fan, with one raising more than £50,000 by Thursday morning from more than 3,000 donors.
On Wednesday night, the Blackpool Tower was lit up red in his honour.