Speedway event in memory of shot boy

Jay Cartmell was a promising speedway rider, his parents said

A speedway event is to be held in memory of an eight-year-old boy who died on a rabbit hunting trip last year.

Jay Cartmell, of Frizington in Cumbria, was shot in the head on 28 September in Warcop, near Appleby.

He was an avid speedway fan and his parents James and Leigha worked with his beloved Workington Comets team to put on a tournament in his memory, which takes place on Saturday.

"We thought let's do something a bit different, something that Jay would really love and let's get his favourite riders in the line-up," said Mrs Cartmell.

Following Jay's death, a man in his 60s was arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter and remains on bail. The BBC understands the man is not related to Jay.

Jay's parents said speedway gave them the motivation they needed after his death

The ties between the family and the team run deep, with Jay's parents having met through the sport 17 years ago when the Comets used to ride at Derwent Park in Workington.

Mr Cartmell was a rider there and Mrs Cartmell, also a keen biker, has been a lifelong speedway supporter.

"I was Jay's age when I started going to Derwent Park and obviously as [Jay] grew older and he knew that his dad used to ride, he had the idea of wanting to give it a go," said Mrs Cartmell.

Jay fell in love with the sport since being handed his first pit bike at the age of five and, because he showed promise, the Comets decided to give him a bike to train on.

"He was overwhelmed, the smile on his face said it all," said promoter Andrew Bain.

The family had planned to sell their home, buy a campervan and travel around Europe to allow Jay to pursue his dream to ride.

Speedway rider Sam McGurk was one of Jay's favourite Comets riders

Jay's parents will ride a few laps during Saturday's event, with Jay's mum using his bike.

"It's amazing being on Jay's bike because that's what he loved doing the most, " Mrs Cartmell said.

"That's one thing I promised him I would always do, get back on a speedway bike, and I hope he would be really proud that I've done that for him."

The tournament will involve four teams, each named after Jay's favourite characters on videogame Fortnite.

The family and the club raised the thousands of pounds needed to put on the event, with any extra donations going to support the Oldside-based club.

The family supported Jay's ambition to ride bikes

"I think it's going to be mixed emotions," said Mr Cartmell.

"I'm going to be proud as punch obviously because what we've organised is probably one of the best meetings of the year, especially in our eyes."

Mrs Cartmell said they "weren't in a good place" after Jay's death, but they had promised him they would make him proud, which gave them the motivation they felt they needed.

"Having the speedway has been a godsend," she said.

"Living without Jay is living a nightmare every single day, he was our whole world."

They described their son as a "lovable and cheeky" boy who made friends with anyone.

An inquest into his death was opened last October and adjourned to allow police to continue investigating.