THE mother of a young woman who was stabbed to death has thanked people for raising funds in her name.

Laura Davies, 21, was killed outside the Essex Horse and Pony Protection Society, in Pitsea, in July.

The county’s equine-loving community has rallied round to raise money in her honour.

Sarah Smith, 30, from Basildon, used to be a regular visitor to the society, in Pitsea Hall Lane, where Laura worked.

When Sarah heard of the tragic news, she felt compelled to act.

She, and other horse-lovers, formed Laura’s Army and organised last month’s sponsored Laura’s Ride through Langdon Hills Country Park. More than 100 riders took part, all wearing pink and purple in Laura’s honour.

They raised £3,000 for the society’s trust fund set up to commemorate its former employee.

Laura’s mother, Dyanne Lambert, 53, from Basildon, said: “I didn’t realise the number of people Laura had met and who loved her.

“It is unbelievable the number of hearts her death has touched.

“For these people, whom we don’t know, to come out and do this for her is incredible, absolutely amazing.

“Someone has even had a star registered in her name. I can’t believe it.

“We have met some amazing people.

“As a family, we are still very numb and still trying to come to terms with what happened to Laura.

“It has affected my son quite a lot as he’s upset that his child, who is only one, will grow up having never known their auntie Laura. We just have to try to deal with it day by day.” A number of prizes from Laura’s Ride were presented at the society on Sunday, with the winners gathering to again pay tribute to Laura.

Deryn Day raised the most money for Laura, £564, while Tia Appleton was named best dressed and Angela McCrea won the award for smallest rider.

Miss Smith said of Laura’s Ride: “I thought we might get eight or ten people turning up.

but to have more than 100 was incredible.

“It was a real community event and everyone was dressed in pink and purple.

We had men in tutus and horses with their manes dyed – everyone made so much effort. It was amazing.

“It was a bit rushed in organising it as well, so next year we want to do two rides and get them bigger and better than this year, all for Laura.”

  • Jordan Taylor, 22, of Basildon, has appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court to deny murdering Laura.