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Friends keep memory of dancer Jake Gray alive

Feb 7 2010 Sunday Sun

Under 18's memorial disco at Blu-Bambu for Jake Gray who was killed in an accident on the A1. Pictured 4 of his friends who organised the event L-R Adam Reilly, Jordan Warbrick, Dean Garbutt and Matthew Johnson

FRIENDS of a teenager killed in a horrific road crash came together for a dance day to raise cash for his funeral.

Jake Gray, 16, of North Shields, was killed and his mother seriously injured when a lorry ploughed into them as it avoided their broken down vehicle.

With Jake a keen street dancer his pals Dean Garbutt, Matthew Johnson, Jordan Warbrick and Adam Reilly decided the best way to remember him while raising cash for the family, was to hold a day to find dancers for a street troupe.

Dean, 18, said: “The day was a great success as we had a lot of people up dancing.

“Jake loved to dance and perfected every dance he tried.

“He was in the process of putting a dance crew together when he died and this is our tribute to him.

“We want to keep his memory going as we all have a lots of deep affection for him.

“We wanted to raise as much cash as we could for his parents. We have now managed to pick the new crew which will be called Real Street Life Productions, or simply RSL.”

Around 200 youngsters turned up at the event held free-of-charge at Blu Bambu, in the Bigg Market, Newcastle, yesterday, raising more than £500.

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