Former Les Quennevais pupil Jayson ‘Baudy’ Baudains died on Thursday after falling ill just days before. There have been fewer than ten cases of the rare illness recorded in the Island in almost 15 years.
His heartbroken mother Kim Murray said she was ‘so proud’ of him and added that the family were planning a huge celebration of his life.
Friends and family of Mr Baudains, a keen surfer, competitive shooter and member of the Jersey Motorcycle and Light Car Club, said he was the ‘most caring and talented friend, boyfriend and relative’.
Hundreds of tribute messages have been posted online in the 48 hours since his death. One friend described Mr Baudains, who had recently returned from a holiday in Barcelona, as a ‘darling angel’ and ‘amazing friend’.
Mrs Murray said the family wanted to have a ‘non-religious celebration of life’ for the St Ouen parishioner. She also appealed for anyone who knew Mr Baudains to share pictures and memories of him on social media.
Mrs Murray added: ‘I am touched by all of his amazing friends and so proud to have been his mother. He was taken too soon but it is better to have had a short time than never had time at all.
‘We are going to have a non-religious service at Les Landes racecourse with a hog roast and play all of Jay’s favourite songs. I want his friends to stand up and tell us funny stories that he was involved with. I would also like someone to play guitar.
‘I want people to take his ashes out on surfboards and let them go out to sea and I would like everyone to bring a red rose and as his ashes are scattered we can put them on the shoreline. I want everyone to party and celebrate his life.’
Mr Baudains was a popular figure among a group of van owners at Le Port in St Ouen’s Bay. Speaking on behalf of the group, one friend said: ‘Baudy was the most caring talented friend, boyfriend, and relative. He had a heart of gold and he always put a smile on people’s faces without trying. We will all miss him dearly. All of your friends at Le Port love you.’
Mr Baudains worked briefly for telecommunications firm JT earlier this year. A spokeswoman said: ‘Our deep sympathies and condolences are with Jayson’s family at this incredibly sad time.’
Meningitis is a rare condition that can affect the brain and nerves. Anyone can get it, but is most common in babies, young children, teenagers and young adults. There are two forms of meningitis – viral and bacterial. Bacterial is the rarest but most serious form, which is fatal in about one in ten cases.
Symptoms for both include; a high temperature, being sick, a headache, a stiff neck, a dislike of bright lights, drowsiness or unresponsiveness and seizures or fits. In some cases a blotchy rash that doesn’t fade when a glass is rolled over it also appears although this does not show in all cases.
For more information on the infection visit gov.je and search for meningitis.
