Heart-breaking tributes have flooded in for a schoolboy who was killed by a falling tree which fell in the midst of Storm Malik.
Jacob Gallon, nine, died from the injuries he sustained when he was struck down on January 29, as the storm battered the UK with 80mph winds.
The Gladstone Primary Academy Pupil from Longton, Stoke, had been on a pheasant shoot in the Staffordshire Moorlands when the tragic incident unfolded.
Now his friends and family have launched a GoFundMe in his memory which has been shared with the blessing of his devastated parents who remain too upset to speak at this time, StokeLive reports.
Appeal organiser Sarah Thrusfield said: "I am helping to raise some funds for Jacob's parents and siblings.
"Jacob tragically lost his life after being hit by a fallen tree on January 29. He was out on a pheasant shoot with some family and friends doing what he loved and did almost every weekend.
"His passing came as a massive shock to not only his loved-ones but hundreds of family, friends, teachers and people who didn’t even know him.
"Let's try to show this beautiful family a bit of love and support. RIP beautiful boy, you'll be sadly missed."
Jacob and a 72-year-old man were both injured as the tree came down at Heath House - a 400-acre estate where they had been shooting pheasant.
But tragically Jacob was later pronounced dead at Royal Stoke University Hospital after doctors had exhausted all efforts to save him.
The youngster had also been a member of the Ten Count Boxing Club, in Bentilee, where staff said he had shown great promise.
Owner Max Maxwell said: "He was a good lad - a big, strong nine-year-old. He had done some sparring sessions, he was big and strong.
"I couldn't wait until he got older because at 10 they are allowed to have their first real go at boxing matches.
"I was keeping an eye on him. It looked like he had a lot of talent for his age.
"He was very polite. When he sparred with the younger boxers who were smaller than him, he was very patient and very gentle with them. He was a very nice lad.
"When we found out what had happened it was very sad. It seems surreal, we couldn't really believe it. Everyone at the club is devastated.
"I just want to send our best wishes out to his family and I hope they're ok.
"He had been coming to the club since we opened in July. He would come two to three times a week.
"He had a lot of promise. I want to send our condolences to the family. Grief is very hard to deal with, if they need anything from us, or want to come and use the gym, or anything like that, it's there for them.
"Our service is there for them if they want to talk or let off some steam, we're open to them."
To support the fund-raising appeal click here.
