A HEARTBROKEN mum has spoken out for the first time after her daughter was stabbed to death.

Dyanne Lambert, of Churchill Avenue, Basildon, told the Echo how her family, is struggling to cope with the loss of Laura Davies, 21.

Laura was stabbed multiple times outside her beloved workplace, the Essex Horse and Pony Protection Society, in Pitsea Hall Lane, Pitsea, a week ago.

Mrs Lambert said: “At the moment we’re still trying to come to terms with what has happened.

“I’ve got a nine-year-old grandaughter, Laura’s niece, and she’s in complete bits, how do you explain what’s happened to a child that age?

“The support we’ve had, even from complete strangers, has been amazing. I’ve had so many lovely messages.”

The family now wants to focus on the Laura Davies Fund, which was set up by her devastated colleagues at the horse sanctuary.

A target of £20,000 has been set.

The fund, which the Echo first revealed details about yesterday, has now gone live on online donation website Go Fund Me, with nearly £400 raised in the first 12 hours.

It comes after hundreds of wellwishers, many who had never even met Laura, flocked to the entrance of the sanctuary to leave flowers, poems and messages.

Sue Allery, manager of Essex Horse and Pony Protection Society, said: “The fund has just started following a meeting with Laura’s family.

They just want something positive to come out of this.

“Laura had been a valued member of our team for some two-and-a-half years. She was dedicated to our rescue animals, and one of the most caring and compassionate people we had the pleasure of knowing and working with.

“Laura was such a special person who will be so missed by us all. Our thoughts and prayers are with Laura’s family at this very difficult time.

“She would have wanted nothing more than to have something positive come out of this tragedy for her beloved animals."

Jordan Taylor, 22, who Mrs Lambert has confirmed was Laura’s boyfriend, has been charged with her murder.

His address has been listed by the Crown Prosecution Service as Churchill Avenue, Basildon.

However, the family has revealed this is a postal address, and he did not actually with with Laura.

Taylor is thought to have lived at an address in Pitsea at the time of his arrest.

He has been remanded in custody and is next due to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on Monday, September 7.

To make a donation to the Laura Davies Fund, visit gofundme.com/xh96m2g