A WOMAN who lost her teenage son to an unexplained heart attack is calling for a memorial for young people in Bournemouth.

Jackie Munro, whose son Alan died at the age of 19 in 2003, got the idea from a similar project in Brighton.

She is now reaching out to other parents who have lost their children, in a bid to raise money for some kind of public memorial in the centre of town.

Jackie, of Francis Road, Parkstone, said: “You hear about soldiers that have died in Afghanistan or Iraq, but every parent that’s lost a child – to them, they’re their hero.

“It’s important to remember every child, even people that have died from drug or alcohol abuse, they’re still somebody’s child.

“I just think this would be a really good project and would bring the Bournemouth community together.

“It would be like something has been given back to the community.”

Jackie, who works for a nursing agency, is now trying to find out if there is a small patch of land in Bournemouth that could be regenerated and turned into a memorial garden with perhaps a fountain and some benches, or even a skate park.

She added: “I’m doing it for other parents, not just me, but it’s something that I would put my heart and soul into.

“I was thinking maybe we could do a concert or something involving young people in schools, maybe do a little show to fund-raise and to get other parents involved who have lost their children as well.

“I think it would be a good idea to show that the community has not forgotten all the parents too.

“It’s almost like someone is compelling me to do it – I can’t get the idea out of my mind.”

l Anyone who can help Jackie, or would like to get involved in the project can email her at jackie munro888@yahoo.co.uk