A WOMAN whose son was stabbed to death in one of the most deprived areas of the city has praised a youth club for its work to change young people’s lives.

Kim Kensett, from Whitehawk, Brighton, lost her 16-year-old son Jay in March 1999.

He was stabbed in the back with a carving knife by a man twice his age only 100 yards from their home.

She said Jay was trying to protect his younger peers, including his friend Ryan Mercer who was 15 at the time.

In the wake of Jay’s death, Ryan’s parents Darren and Lorraine Snow, decided to set up the Crew Club in Whitehawk.

The youth centre aims to help reduce crime and provide activities away from the streets.

Mrs Kensett said: “I am so proud that they have set up the Crew Club in his memory. Jay would have loved it too. He loved to be centre of attention and I can just imagine him looking down at us and feeling so moved by what Darren and Lorraine have done.

“The response from the community was just so overwhelming when he passed away.”

Jay had got engaged only months before he was murdered and was recognised as a budding footballer and boxer.

Mrs Kensett said: “He was such a lovely boy and I think if there was somewhere like the Crew Club around at the time this would not have happened.

“Lorraine is incredible with the kids and they all love her and love to go there.

“It’s a truly special place and I reckon it helps a lot of kids have much better lives.

“It’s terrible when you lose a child, especially if it’s a murder because it’s just so unfair. It still hurts. It’s difficult just having a little gravestone to visit. But what Lorraine and Darren are doing is just amazing and I believe it helps young people so much.”

Mrs Kensett, who works at Asda, now takes her 11-year-old grandson Tiergan to the Crew Club for boxing sessions. She said: “Jay was such a good boxer and it’s great I can now take Tiergan somewhere to train as well. He’s quite a shy boy so it’s good to have somewhere for him to go and meet other youngsters.”

With Mr and Mrs Snow running the Crew Club she believes the young people who go there are in safe hands.

She said: “There’s trouble everywhere and it’s hard to avoid. But I think what they are doing is a huge help to encouraging safer lives for young people.”