Shay Kang: £8,500 of generous donations for funeral of Rowley Regis 10-year-old stabbed to death by mum to be refunded after error

Shay was found dead at her home in Robin Close, Rowley Regis, on March 4 after being fatally stabbed by her Paranoid Schizophrenic mother, Jaskirat Kaur.

Kaur later admitted manslaughter on the basis of diminished responsibility and was confined to a secure mental health facility indefinitely upon a sentencing at Wolverhampton Crown Court in October of last year. 

The Go Fund Me page was launched shortly the girl's death in March 2024 - with many generous donations being made from the public to cover the cost of her funeral, flowers and headstone. 

The online fundraiser raised more than £4,000 in less than 24 hours and overtime increased to around £8,500. 

However, it was mistakenly set up with Shay as the beneficiary, which meant the funds were unable to be withdrawn to pay for the funeral. 

Writing on the Go Fund Me page, organiser Taylor Blake said: "As following Shay's funeral and several meetings with solicitors etc it has been made aware no matter how we try we won’t be able to release the funds out because of the nature of the cause and there being no beneficiaries."

The statement added that the decision had been made to refund the cash.

Funeral directors F.P Gaunt & Sons Ltd helped fund Shay's funeral held at Rowley Regis Crematorium on September 5 last year, which saw dozens of mourners gather wearing the Brickhouse Primary School pupil's favourite colours, pink and black.

Now, the business has launched an appeal for donations to replace those which had to be refunded in order to buy a plot of land from Sandwell Council for Shay's grave and headstone for her friends and loved ones to visit, costing around £6,000.

The new fundraiser has so far generated more than £1,730 of donations.

Sam Gaunt, company director at the funeral directors which has a head office in Rowley Regis, said: "[Shay] went through so much, she didn't deserve what happened it is all a tragedy.

"It was nice to see how the community rallied around to get the funds in the beginning so it would be amazing to get that support back, rally around again and get somewhere beautiful for Shay to rest.

"Thank you to everyone who has donated and supported Shay and got behind it to this point. It has been amazing to see the community come together."

Anyone who wants to donate to the cause can send money directly to a bank account set up by FP Gaunt and Sons.

The account name is: FP Gaunt and Sons Limited Donations Account, sort code: 20-27-17, account Number: 53250342. People donating money should use the reference 'Shay'.

A sea of teddy bears, flowers and balloons were left at Robin Close in tribute to Shay shortly after her death.

Well-wishers also gathered in the street to release balloons in memory of the schoolgirl.