‘We’re in shock’: Terminally-ill Sheffield boy’s model railway destroyed by leaking roof

Jordan Reid from Hillsborough, was diagnosed in June 2016 – shortly after his second birthday – with atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumour (ATRT), a rare form of terminal cancer.

After six months of chemotherapy and six weeks of radiotherapy, his family were sadly told that Jordan's cancer was terminal and his granddad Kevan Adams has been on a mission to pack his life with love and joy ever since.

He set up the Jordan Reid Trust to support his grandson and other children with brain cancer and has been trying to raise £50,000 to help Jordan complete his bucket list, which includes travelling to Disney World in Florida.

Last year, Jordan and Kevan were donated a secure steel workshop container to house a train set in, which they found a site for in Maltby and have been renovating ever since.

But just a few days ago, the container suffered a devastating roof leak which has caused significant damage not just to the unit itself but also to a majority of the modelling stock and tools that were in there.

Kevan said they were all ‘in a state of shock’ at the amount of damage caused.

He said: “There is so much damage it is hard to think where to start. The ceiling has fallen down in the main part of the welfare unit. Covered in black mould causing damage to everything in its path.

“We are needing to replace tools, trains, ceilings, roofs, walls and electrics but as we are a small non-profit we don't have the resources or the contacts that could help us out.”

Kevan said that Jordan can no longer visit the unit due to his respiratory difficulties which mean he has to go into hospital every three months for two weeks at a time.

He added that the trust sadly was not able to accept offers of help from people in Maltby and elsewhere due to the health and safety risks that are still present at the unit.

To find out more or offer help, visit www.facebook.com/thejordanreidtrust.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.