A FORMER Echo delivery girl who dreamt of becoming a sports journalist will be honoured at a charity football match.

Family and friends of Jenny Kerwood will take to the pitch in Billericay Town and Leyton Orient strips to raise thousands of pounds.

Football-mad Jenny, 22, of Kilbarry Walk, Billericay, collapsed while training with Hutton Ladies’ FC at Shenfield High School in February 2012. Coaches tried to resuscitate her, and she was taken to Queen’s Hospital, in Romford, but died.

Jenny, who supported Leyton Orient along with the rest of her famechoily, graduated from the University of Westminster in 2010 with a first-class degree in media studies and had completed work experience for The Times.

It was later discovered Jenny suffered from a rare heart defect, called BlandWhite Garland Syndrome, which had gone undetected.

Now cash is being collected for CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) to fund specialist heart screening for young Billericay residents.

Jenny’s brother, Ross, has organised the match at Billericay Town on Saturday.

Ross, 21, a criminology student at the University of West England, said: “I thought it was a good thing to do in Jenny’s honour. CRY isn’t a big charity, but awareness of it is growing, particularly after soccer star Fabrice Muamba suffered cardiac arrest on the pitch.

“I hope she’s proud. She was quite quiet, but a very generous person.”

Funds will be added to cash collected by Jenny’s Mayflower High School classmate Tim Butt, 24, of Rosebay Avenue, Billericay, who will this week return from cycling 1,000 miles across South America.

Tim’s dreams of becoming a professional cyclist were shattered when his heart stopped beating for 25 minutes.

Doctors diagnosed him with Long QT, meaning electrical activity of the heart is disrupted.

Ross said: “The fact they were in the same school year and had rare heart conditions shows how important it is for young people to have their hearts checked. The more people we can get on Saturday, the more money we can raise, so any support is appreciated.”

Gates open at noon, with kick-off at 1pm. There will also be a barbecue, drinks, cakes and CRY stalls. Tickets cost £5. For more information, email rosskerwoodwork@hotmail.co.uk.