EXACTLY a year after former Worcester schoolgirl Emily Jordan drowned while riverboarding in New Zealand, her mother has described the grief still consuming the family.

Sarah Jordan said the family’s motto of “one day at a time” was a huge support but coming to terms with the loss of their 21-year-old daughter was “practically impossible”.

A celebration party to remember the former Alice Ottley School (now RGSAO) student is now being organised for friends and family next month.

“Emily’s death last year has devastated the whole family and trying to come to terms with such a huge loss is practically impossible,” said Mrs Jordan, of Trimpley, near Bewdley.

“Unfortunately, it doesn’t get easier to deal with; on the contrary, it just gets worse, as any family who has lost a child or a sibling will know.

“We think about her and miss her each minute of every day.

“It all seems so unreal and we just can’t believe that she’s not going to walk through the door or that we can’t pick up the phone and have a chat with her.”

Miss Jordan, who had graduated from Swansea University with a first class degree in law, was travelling with her boyfriend when the accident happened.

She became trapped between rocks and drowned while riverboarding in the Kawarau River Gorge near Queenstown on New Zealand’s south island.

The owner of the riverboarding company has since been charged with failing to ensure the actions or inaction of employees did not harm Miss Jordan and will stand trial in August.

Since the tragic accident, her family has set up the Emily Jordan Foundation, which aims to help adults with learning difficulties lead fulfilled lives.

The past year has seen friends and family raise £42,000 for the foundation by cycling, running, posing naked for a calendar, scaling mountains, playing golf, packing shopping bags and competing in It’s a Knockout.

Mrs Jordan, 50, said: “The amazing love and support that we have had from family and friends has kept us going through some extremely difficult days and I want to say a huge thank you to everybody. We appreciate that Emily’s death has left a huge hole in so many peoples lives.

“Emily was a tremendously warm, caring, loyal person with a fantastic sense of humour and sharp wit. She meant so much to so many people and is missed by everyone who knew her.”

For more information about the foundation, visit theemilyjordanfoundation.org.uk.