A Canterbury College student who dreamed of becoming a chef has died after a battle with leukaemia.

Jordan Smith, 20, died at the Royal Marsden Hospital last Friday, 18 months after being diagnosed.

His heartbroken mother Kelly, of The Hyde in Chartham, said he had been seriously ill with a chest infection but the family had expected him to pull through.

She said: “The last 17 weeks he spent a lot of time fighting various bugs.

“He got a serious chest infection about two and a half weeks ago and was transferred to the Royal Marsden.

“That was on a Tuesday. A week later he was put on a ventilator.

“We then got a phone call on Friday at 2pm to say doctors were concerned. We got there at 5pm and he died at 6.30pm.

“Even though we knew he was very ill, there might have been a chance to get him off the ventilator, but his body gave up. He was so tired from fighting the infections.

“He had leukaemia, but he died from pneumonia.”

Kelly, who has two other sons, Harley, 15, and Harrison, seven, says the family are devastated.

“We miss him so much,” she said. “His brothers adored him, and he them. He was so loved.

“He was cheeky. He always had a smile on his face. He loved Mr Bean and Mrs Brown’s Boys – he had that kind of sense of humour.

“He would do anything for anyone.

"We miss him so much. His brothers adored him, and he them. He was so loved" - Jordan's mum, Kelly

“My youngest boy has autism and he worshipped Jordan. The two of them had a special bond.”

Jordan, a huge Manchester United fan, had Asperger syndrome and ADHD and was a pupil at the St Nicholas School in Nunnery Fields.

When he was older he went to Canterbury College as part of a programme run between the college and St Nicholas.

“One of his dreams was to be a chef,” said Kelly, 39.

“He used to cook with me and help out in a cafe in Ashford. He also loved DJing. The Willow Charity sent him to Heart radio station in London for the day.”

Kelly says her parents have been hit particularly hard by their grandson’s death.

"They live in Durham so they hadn’t seen him for 18 months, since before he was diagnosed,” she said.

“What he’s gone through has really had an impact on them, maybe more than the rest of the family because they haven’t been around him.

“It’s devastated us all, but my husband Christopher has been incredible and I’ve got a lot of good friends.”

After his death, Kelly set up a Just Giving page to help with funeral costs. The target of £500 was exceeded within four days.

“It’s a great help,” she said. “I just want to give Jordan the send-off he deserves.”

His funeral is on Monday, March 6, at noon at St Mary’s Church in Chartham. Those wishing to make a donation instead of flowers can do so to the Royal Marsden Hospital.

People are asked to wear something green, Jordan’s favourite colour.