The cousin of a young woman who died after collapsing during a football training session is organising a charity match in her memory.

Hannah Swain, 21, of Mayfield Avenue in Woodford Green, has organised the match at Forest School in Snaresbrook in memory of her cousin Jenny Kerwood who died at the tragically young age of 22 last February.

Jenny, who lived in Billericay, was training with Hutton FC ladies team when she collapsed.

She was rushed to Queen’s Hospital in Romford, but doctors could not save her. Only later did her family find out she had a rare undiagnosed heart condition.

Miss Swain, who works as a special events assistant, said: “Jenny wasn’t just my cousin she was my friend.

“I can’t explain how horrific it was when I heard the news.

“We are a really close family and her death just devastated us all.

“She was such a fit, young athletic person. Totally football crazy and a massive Leyton Orient fan. It is still very raw to be honest.”

Miss Swain who studied at Forest School has enlisted the help of her boyfriend Olly and Jenny’s brother Ross, who will captain teams at the charity match which kicks off at 2pm on March 23.

Entrance for spectators is free but all the players are paying to play and Miss Swain is appealing for people to donate raffle prizes to help raise money for the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).

She said: “CRY is a brilliant charity that does a lot of work with young people and their families.

“The school are letting us use the pitch and the dining hall for our reception but we still need help.

“Jenny was very quiet and probably wouldn’t have liked being the centre of attention, but I’m sure she would have approved of the football.”

Miss Swain is also hoping to enlist the support of Fabrice Muamba, the former Bolton Wanderers player who was forced to retire from football after suffering a heart attack during an FA Cup tie with Tottenham.

She said: “He collapsed the month after Jenny died.

“We were all in a bit of a bubble with the shock, but obviously what was happening to him registered very strongly.

“I have tweeted him about the match and I hope he’ll get back to me.”

If you can help with providing raffle prizes or want to find out more about ‘Jenny’s Match’ contact Hannah Swain on 07866 561 719 or email hannahvswain@me.com