Mother sets up orphanage project in memory of her son

A Burgess Hill mother has set up a charity project in memory of her son.
Cameron was awarded a trophy by the RAF for the best all-round trainee fighter pilot. Picture: Amanda JayneCameron was awarded a trophy by the RAF for the best all-round trainee fighter pilot. Picture: Amanda Jayne
Cameron was awarded a trophy by the RAF for the best all-round trainee fighter pilot. Picture: Amanda Jayne

Cameron Forster, 21, died in April 30, 2016, with fellow RAF student pilot Ajvir Singh Sandhu, 25, when the plane they were flying in came down in North Yorkshire.

After his death, mum Amanda Jayne donated Cameron’s estate to the Itala Foundation – a charity in Zambia – to form Cameron’s Orphanage Project.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It aims to build an orphanage for the children of Mkushi in Zambia which will enable many of them to attend school.

Cameron Forster with friends. Picture: Amanda JayneCameron Forster with friends. Picture: Amanda Jayne
Cameron Forster with friends. Picture: Amanda Jayne

Amanda said: “I am a teacher so in the summer holidays I do project work for the charity out in the village of Mkushi.

“The orphanage we are building is to house a small core of around ten orphans who cannot be placed with families in the community.
“We are also building a crèche where toddlers can be cared for whilst the older siblings – who usually have to care for them – can attend the school.

“We want to provide them with a chance in life.”

The Itala Foundation was registered as a UK charity in 2007 and is run by a team of eight trustees from North Wales.

Cameron Forster was a talented rugby player. Here he is playing for Haywards Heath. Picture: Amanda JayneCameron Forster was a talented rugby player. Here he is playing for Haywards Heath. Picture: Amanda Jayne
Cameron Forster was a talented rugby player. Here he is playing for Haywards Heath. Picture: Amanda Jayne
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Amanda added: “After Cameron’s death, I wanted to contribute something to this charity so I asked if we could name the project after him.

“I donated Cameron’s estate worth about £8,500. It was what he had left behind and we felt it would be best to put it towards a good cause.

“I know that if he was still around, he would love to see what his money has done.”

Students from Hurstpierpoint College – Cameron’s former school – have also helped raise thousands of pounds for the project, including a concert held at the college last week.

Previous work funded by Cameron's Orphanage Project. Picture: Amanda JaynePrevious work funded by Cameron's Orphanage Project. Picture: Amanda Jayne
Previous work funded by Cameron's Orphanage Project. Picture: Amanda Jayne
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Corey Wickens, 22, who met Cameron aged 14 when they studied music together, helped organise the concert.

She said: “Cameron was the most loveable person and nobody had a bad word about him.
“There were four people in our A-level music class and he was the only boy so we got pretty close. We were known as the three blondes and the ginge. Cameron was a very talented musician himself.”

Cameron was also a talented rugby player and represented both his college and Haywards Heath.

Amanda added: “Myself and a few other volunteers will be going back out to Mkushi in August this year.

Cameron Forster with friends. Picture: Amanda JayneCameron Forster with friends. Picture: Amanda Jayne
Cameron Forster with friends. Picture: Amanda Jayne
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“This is totally funded by ourselves. All the money we raise goes straight to the project.”

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

Cameron Forster was a talented rugby player. Here he is playing for Haywards Heath. Picture: Amanda JayneCameron Forster was a talented rugby player. Here he is playing for Haywards Heath. Picture: Amanda Jayne
Cameron Forster was a talented rugby player. Here he is playing for Haywards Heath. Picture: Amanda Jayne

3) Follow us on Twitter

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.