The parents of Jay Cartmell, an 8-year-old boy who tragically passed away following a shooting near Warcop, have released a touching tribute to their son. Leigha and James Cartmell described Jay as “loving, kind and full of mischief” in a heartfelt statement.
“We are heartbroken at the passing of our perfect little boy,” the parents said. “He was the best boy that anyone could wish for and the third corner of our beautiful family ‘triangle’.”
Jay was known for his love of the outdoors and his budding passion for speedway racing. He had been attending races at Workington since he was just one year old, following in his father’s footsteps. The young boy was developing into a talented rider himself, showing real promise for the sport.
An avid sports enthusiast, Jay played as a defender for Whitehaven Miners Football Club. His parents fondly recalled his enthusiasm, even when he occasionally scored an own goal. Jay dreamed of meeting his football idol, Lionel Messi, and had aspirations of moving to Brazil.
The Cartmells shared that Jay was a nature lover who enjoyed fishing and rabbiting with his father. He also helped care for the family’s pets, including four lurchers, five ferrets, and his own bearded dragon named Spike.
Academically, Jay excelled in mathematics and loved school. His parents stressed how deeply loved he was by all who knew him, describing him as always having a smile on his face.
The family expressed their gratitude to the medical teams who cared for Jay, including the Air Ambulance Service, PICU, Ward 12 RVI, and the Snowdrop Suite at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. They also thanked the Workington Speedway Supporters Club, JD Autos, Fellview Surgery, the Workington Comets, and Whitehaven Miners for their support and tributes to Jay’s memory.
