Rugby family keep Jamie's memory alive

Jamie Dumbleton, 26, was working as a charity fundraiser in Adelaide when the car he was travelling in collided with a road train on May 23.

The car’s driver and two other passengers were badly injured in the crash but Jamie died at the scene.

He was working for a fundraising agency in Adelaide and helped to raise an impressive $175,000 (around £97,000)for good causes during his time there.

His mum, Angie Dumbleton, said: “The police came round after it happened and told us Jamie has been killed.

“We were just in shock. I mean it’s every parent’s worst nightmare. I told them ‘I can’t believe it - I only spoke to him the day before’.

“When I spoke to him, he was so happy. He’d told me he was having a fantastic time and he was all excited about a trip he was making to Port Pirie. He was absolutely loving the job, had really grown in confidence and felt like he’d finally found his niche.

“He was loved by so many people and we’ve had lots of lovely cards and messages.”

Jamie, a former Bilton High student, trained as a builder after leaving school. He worked for Bilton Design and Build before going travelling and was also a keen boxer in Rugby.

His funeral took place on Wednesday, June 22 at St Matthew’s and St Oswald’s Church on Lawford Road and Angie said the family were “overwhelmed” when more than 200 people turned out to pay their respects.

As well as his mum, he leaves behind his older sister, Stacey, younger brother, Danny, his dad, Dave, and his niece, Nevaeh.

A statement issued on behalf of the family thanked friends and relatives for their support. It said: “Our family would like to thank all Jamie’s friends and relatives for their wonderful support at this tragic time.

“Also an extremely big thank you to the Reverend Ollie of St Matthews and St Oswalds church for the beautiful, compassionate service he conducted for Jamie.

“The moving tributes from Jamie’s friends were amazing and heart tugging. Also they were very brave to stand up and speak.

“The overwhelming turnout at the church was sincerely appreciated and we thank you so very much for your attendance.

“If anyone should wish to donate to one of Jamie’s charities, please feel free to do so.

“Jamie was working for a cancer charity in Australia when he was tragically killed as a back passenger in the company car, so Cancer Research would be one obvious choice.

“Danny, Jamie’s brother, has also set up a JustGiving page for Save the Elephants charity – for which Jamie was a great supporter, having witnessed first hand how they were treated in some of the foreign countries he visited on his travels.”

And they added: “Thank you all once again for your moving support for Jamie - and for us, his loving family.”

Donations for Cancer Research UK in Jamie’s memory can be made at St Matthew’s and St Oswald’s Church.

To donate to Save the Elephants, visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Danny-Dumbleton