Remembering Jamie Rees - the story behind the OurJay Foundation
A cheeky boy with a beaming smile and big brown eyes.
Clever, funny, and never sad.
Jamie (or Jay, JJ, OurJay) was born on 25th November 2003. He was a cheeky little boy who lit up every single room he ever entered from that 1st day. Jamie had the most beaming smile and the biggest beautiful brown eyes.
Jamie was very clever and unbelievably funny. He could make you laugh just with a look, he didn't even have to say anything and he could draw a smile. Jamie was never sad, he was a happy little boy, who was so content with his family, his beloved pets and his hobbies.
Jamie adored his family, he loved his mum and dad so much, but his biggest inspiration was his big brother, Callum. He desperately wanted to be like Callum, he would dress like him, talk like him and ask his opinion on absolutely any decisions he had to make. Jamie also loved both his nans dearly, he had the most precious relationship with them both. Jamie's 'Chrissie nan' is now taking care of him in the stars and we know they'll be chatting non stop and putting the world to rights, but having a good giggle doing it!
Jay loved his little sister Myla very much as well, they had a very special bond.
There are so many other family members that played such a big part in Jamie's life, his grandparents, his aunties and uncles, his cousins and his mates, all gave Jamie so much joy and every single one of them would give anything to have him beside us again.
All of Jamie's family worshipped the ground he walked on, he was always just the loveliest, kindest boy and his family meant the world to him, just like he meant the world to all of them.
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A fisherman from age 2
He'd be at the lake with his rod set and a dog beside him. Always caught the biggest fish, but he was proud of every single catch - no matter how big or small.
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Gamer, headset on, all night
PS5 with his mates for hours, sometimes all night if a game really got him gripped. The kind of friend you'd hear laughing through the wall.
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Star Wars fan; Idris Elba devotee
Watched the films over and over again. Idris Elba was a favourite actor of his - so much so that his bearded dragon Luther was named after Elba's TV character.
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Top of his plumbing class at Rugby College
Completed years 1 and 2 of his City & Guilds in plumbing, passed every exam with top grades, and planned to set up his own business with his mates. The college keeps a permanent display of his practical work in the workshop, in his memory.
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Knew his planets and his moons
Get him into a conversation about space or the solar system and he'd be chattering away for hours. Curious about everything that was bigger than the room he was in.
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Izzy, Castro and his 'little best mate' Luther
His old dog Izzy. His Toy Yorkie Castro, who sat on the windowsill every Monday and Tuesday waiting for him to come home from college. And Luther, his bearded dragon and best mate - all three would lay on his bed for hours while he played PS5.
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Shy in the cutest way
His college tutor put it best: 'he didn't always have a lot to say, but when he spoke, people just listened. He always had something funny or relevant to say - people took notice of that boy.'
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Brother first, family always
Jamie's biggest inspiration was his big brother Callum. He'd dress like him, talk like him, ask his opinion on absolutely anything. He adored his mum and dad, treasured both nans over tea and toast, and shared a very special bond with his little sister Myla.
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'Built different'
He always told us he was built different. Every word we've heard about him since says the same thing - amazing, caring, beautiful boy. The brightest star in life, now the brightest star in any sky.
"In my mind, it's Jamie Rees BEM and I'm his name and voice."