Hayden Jones-Powell got into difficulty in the water on Thursday when he was at the lake with friends
A family is mourning their ‘gorgeous’ and ‘cheeky’ boy after he was tragically pulled dead from a lake. Hayden Jones-Powell went missing yesterday (June 25) after entering Meynell Lake, in Fosse Way, Syston.
Police were called just after 1.30pm, with Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service and East Midlands Ambulance Service also attending. Specialist dive teams launched a search of the lake where they found Hayden, according to LeicestershireLive.
The 13-year-old has been remembered by his family as a cheeky, gorgeous boy who loved animals. Hayden, a keen West Bromwich Albion supporter with a wide circle of friends, had gone to cool off in the water with friends after school when he got into difficulty.
Speaking to LeicestershireLive on behalf of the family, his aunt, Charlotte Powell, paid tribute to him.
“He was just a really lovely little cheeky boy,” she said, adding that he had lots of friends and “did really, really well at school.”
She said Hayden leaves behind two older brothers and a sister.
Describing the day Hayden died, Charlotte, who has set up a fundraising page for his funeral, said: “Hayden was like any other teenage boy who just went to the lake to paddle with his friends.
“He wanted to cool off from the heat and enjoy the cool water, getting some respite from the heatwave after school.”
The family said they had been left devastated by the news.
“It’s horrific, absolutely horrific,” Charlotte said. “When my husband rang me yesterday to say, are you sitting down? Hayden’s gone missing.
“It’s the thing that happens to other people, doesn’t it? It doesn’t happen to your family.”
Charlotte has thanked the community for their support since Hayden’s death.
“The family are so, so grateful for all the support, really, really grateful,” she said.
“We know that in times like this, there’s so little that people can do, but if anybody can just give a fiver to our fund, just to give us the best send-off for Hayden that we can possibly do.”
Police said the person recovered from the lake was the same teenager known to have entered the water, adding that his family are being supported by specialist officers. Officers said there is no suggestion of any suspicious circumstances, and that a file will be prepared for the coroner.
Friends of Hayden are organising two balloon releases in his memory. The first is due to take place at Central Park in Syston at around 12.30pm on Saturday, with a second planned for the following Saturday in Mountsorrel.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family give Hayden “a beautiful send off,” with a target of £6,000. You can donate here.
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