Always in our hearts

MICHELLE and KENNY HEATON with a picture of their beloved Jamie

Jamie’s parents a year after the horrific Shaw explosion

THE FAMILY of Shaw gas blast victim Jamie Heaton say throwing themselves into charity work has helped them to cope with the toddler’s death.

As Shaw prepared to mark the first anniversary of the devastating explosion today, Jamie’s dad Kenny explained how fundraising efforts has helped take their minds away from the horror of that day.

Two-year-old Jamie was killed while watching television on June 26, when the blast next door destroyed three houses and left many others damaged, some beyond repair.

Kenny, and Jamie’s mum Michelle, set about raising money for a memorial charity to provid playground equipment at Bulcote park, where the youngster took his first steps.

Kenny said: “The year has gone quite quickly for us; it is hard to describe how we feel.

“There are ups and downs but organising events like this and focusing on the charity has given us something else to think about.

“We haven’t planned anything for the anniversary and we didn’t want to, we will just take the day as it comes.”

The anniversary of Jamie’s tragic death will be hard for all members of the family explained Michelle’s Aunt, Sylvia Robinson.

“It makes me cry when I think about what happened; I can only imagine how they will be feeling on the day,” she said.

“It is such a bad time for everyone and everyone hopes it will pass quickly.”

Jamie’s parents, who have two other children, Jodie and Jack, have now moved into a new home in Royton.

Andrew Partington (28), who lived next door to the Heatons and admmitted causing the explosion, was jailed for 10 years in February