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Jordan Blackburn posted a photo of himself in a critical condition in hospital after he survived taking an unknown substance at Kendal Calling.
The post, which warned of the consequences of dabbling with drugs and spoke of his second chance at life, went viral.
And the 20-year-old’s poignant story has since been covered by print, radio and TV media organisations across the country and beyond.
He felt compelled to speak after his friend Christian Pay, of Millom, died as a result of drug use at the Cumbrian festival – during which nine people were admitted to hospital following drug use.
Mr Blackburn, of Bank Head, Haverigg, has been surprised by the level of media interest, but says he will take every opportunity to share his story in a bid to salvage more positivity from the tragic weekend last month.
He said: “When I put the picture up, I thought the people who know us locally would look and think differently.
“But I never really thought I would get so much attention – maybe just as far as Barrow. I really didn’t expect it to go so far.
“I even saw something where they had the story in America. I’m just really glad the message has spread and hopefully more young people will see it and think differently.
“The idea was to try and make something more positive out of a negative situation and the more people who can hear the news and see the damage it can cause, the better, and I am happier.”
Following Mr Pay’s death, friends raised £600 in a matter of days to put towards flowers.
But Mr Blackburn says there is still “a couple of hundred pounds left”, which they intend to put towards a memorial plaque in Millom Park where they hung around together – and perhaps add another further lasting tribute.
Mr Pay’s funeral in Millom attracted a huge number of people two weeks ago – so much so that the venue for the wake had to be changed from the Devonshire pub to Millom Rugby League Club.
Mr Blackburn, who is studying IT at Furness College, said: “I don’t think we really expected quite that many people to show up.
“They had to change the (wake) venue at last minute so everyone could get it.
“It just shows the amount of people that he got to know at such a young age.
“All his classmates from college in Barrow turned up and everyone far and wide from round here.
“It was very nice to see and his family were really gracious.
“Before we went down, his mum said ‘thanks everyone, it means the world’.”
Despite his message having already travelled so far, Mr Blackburn says he wants to continue raising awareness.
He said: “I’m not going to pass up any opportunities.
“At the moment, I’m just really happy to be with family and friends.
“After what happened, you stop taking things for granted and you want to see all your family who you haven’t seen in a while.
“I imagine when it dies down in a couple of weeks, I’ll want to maybe go to sixth form and speak to the students about it there.”
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