A mum left devastated after a memorial bench commemorating her 36-year-old son was smashed has praised his “wonderful mates” who rallied to provide a new one.

Geraldine Norton described as “the lowest of the low” a motorist she believes crashed into the bench in Nab Wood Cemetery – causing irreparable damage. It was put there in memory of her son Jason Matthew Hall, known as Jay, who died in his sleep following a virus which triggered an underlying heart condition.

Nobody has owned up to causing the damage to the bench and Mrs Norton could not afford to replace it, but after reading of her heartache in the Telegraph & Argus, Mr Hall’s friends, Alex Cockroft and Dave Fenech-Soler among others, collected hundreds of pounds towards the cost of replacing the bench.

The new memorial bearing Mr Hall’s name has now been unveiled.

Its bronze commemorative plaque reads, “Our good friend Jay, Gone too soon, we will never forget you. Save us a seat, all your friends.”

Mrs Norton, 59, of Central Avenue, Shipley, said: “I am really touched and speechless about what they have done. They are wonderful mates - I’ve never known anyone like them.”

  • Read the full story in Monday's T&A