By Phil Coleman

Last updated at 14:26, Friday, 19 October 2012

The heartbroken family of a Cumbrian woman who was found dead last week plan to set up a charity to help other young people in her memory.

Helen Jenkins

The family and friends of Helen Jenkins say she was a beautiful young woman who was a breath of fresh air to everyone who knew her.

Intelligent, articulate, and caring, she was about to celebrate her 20th birthday, and looking forward to finishing a degree in English Literature, a subject she adored.

Police have confirmed that Helen’s body was found at a property in Askham near Penrith last Friday afternoon. There were no suspicious circumstances.

Helen, a former pupil of Nelson Thomlinson School in Wigton, was also talented skier and was about to start work at a ski resort in the French Alps during a university gap year.

She moved with her family to a home near Wigton in 1999.

After studying at Dalston’s St Michael's School, she went to Nelson Thomlinson School, and achieved excellent GCSE and A-level results.

Her family said this week that she had great plans for the future and was looking forward to finishing the final two years of her degree.

Her mum Sally said: “Helen's tragic death came as a complete shock. The level of kind support given and messages received has been overwhelming.

“We plan to set up a charity in her memory to try and help other young people who are adjusting to the trials and challenges of adult life.”

The family spoke of Helen’s love of books and literature – a passion which led her to study English literature at Northumbria University in Newcastle.

She was taking a gap year from her studies, and had worked in pubs at Bampton and Bampton Grange.

She spent the summer backpacking around the south of France with her boyfriend, Jono Terry, 22.

She had been due to fulfil one of her dreams as she had just been offered work at Val d’Isere, in the French Alps, for this year’s ski season.

Helen also enjoyed horse riding and had her own ponies. She completed her Duke of Edinburgh silver award and she loved family life.

Helen’s aunt Jane Storey said: “She was such a bright light – a real breath of fresh air. She was loved by everyone. She was a real chatterbox and had a lovely sense of humour.”

Wendy Frith, 54, who worked with Helen at the Crown & Mitre pub in Bampton Grange, near Penrith, and knew her well, added: “She was beautiful, and everybody here loved her. She will be so missed.”

Nelson Thomlinson’s head teacher Sam Northwood also paid tribute.

He said: “We were so very sad to hear about Helen.

“She was a lovely girl, bright, intelligent and cheerful, with a bubbly personality and a good sense of humour.

“She was a popular member of her tutor group and a special friend to so many people.

“She also gave much to the school and was awarded an Attitude and Service prize in 2009 for giving up her time to help others, most notably as a peer mentor in Year 11.

“In the sixth form she continued to do the same – as a prefect, as a peer educator and by raising money for charity. She was a role model to other students.”

Helen also leaves her older brother Rhys, 21, and her father Huw. Richardsons Funeral Directors in Penrith are handling arrangements for the funeral service, which will be held in St Mungo’s Church, Bromfield, near Blencogo, on Monday at 2.30pm. Family flowers only are requested, and donations will go to the charity which will be set up in Helen’s memory.

Police have confirmed they were called to a property at Askham shortly after 1pm last Friday and discovered Helen’s body. The case has now been referred to the coroner.

First published at 12:48, Friday, 19 October 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk