Family to walk 135 miles in memory of Jay

THE family of a young soldier who died in a Plymouth car crash are taking part in a gruelling fundraising trek in his memory.

- By WILLIAM TELFORD

Karren Lamerton and Stuart Whiting are to set off on Sunday, September 7, to walk 135 miles from Plymouth to Chepstow in honour of their son Jay Whiting.

Jay was aged just 21 when he died in January 2023 following a crash in “atrocious” weather on Embankment Road. He was serving as a rifleman with 1st Battalion The Rifles at the time of his death.

Karren and Stuart, from West Park, will be among a group of 12 walkers who will take part in the six-day trek to The Rifles’ base at Beachley Barracks, in Chepstow, in aid of the charitable The Rifles Regimental Trust.

The Jay's Journey fundraiser aimed at attracting £5,000 in donations but has already more than doubled that, with £10,265 pledged on the JustGiving website at the time of writing. And Karren said: “We are hoping to get even more than that.”