grieving mother whose son died after jumping into a canal has described him as an "exceptional" brother and friend.
Delvin Musakwa, 13, died after entering the Exeter Ship Canal on Monday 5 May.
Police say he was found near the Salmonpool Swing Bridge at Clapperbrook Lane East. Emergency services gave him first aid but he later died in hospital.
Delvin's mother Cecelia Chipiri told ITV News he was "the pillar of [her] house", a faultless school student, and a keen footballer with dreams of turning professional.
She said: "He loved people, helping other people, doing small jobs. He was always laughing and I never saw him have a down moment.
"He was always checking in on [me] and his siblings, making sure the house was tidy, and making sure he balanced his football and his schoolwork.
"He was just exceptional. Maybe he knew his time was not quite long enough to please us, so he tried to do it all in a very short space of time."Ms Chipiri told how Delvin was a tremendous support to her, helping raise his siblings and check she was comfortable at night.
She explained: "He would not allow me to go to bed without a cuddle. No matter how late it was. He was kind and compassionate.
"I come from a strong Christian background and I brought Delvin up in that way, but always with the freedom to choose for himself.
"As he grew older, he followed it from his own heart and he was a generous boy. He would say, 'Mum, I'm going to buy you a house. You work a lot and you won't need to'. He just wanted to look after me.
"He was just an inspiration and very positive in whatever he did. Even when he came back from a football match without being named Man of the Match he would say, 'Mum, that's okay. There's always next time'."Losing Delvin has been a devastating blow for Ms Chipiri and the rest of her family, but she said that the support from her local community had been incredible.
"It's pretty hard at the moment. Obviously, as a mum you don't expect your child to go before you - and I can never replace him.
"It's pretty hard to move forward but we are in a very good neighbourhood.
"We have very compassionate friends and I have had support from the hospital, the police, the church, teachers and the football team. From all corners, people are pouring their condolences.
"Some of them have even helped with cleaning the house, food has been brought and my kids have been taken to school. Everybody is trying really hard to make sure we are okay.
"It has left me thinking, 'Is this the world? I didn't know the world was like this'.Thousands of pounds have been raised through an online crowdfunding page to pay for Delvin's funeral and Ms Chipiri said she felt "humbled" by the generosity shown towards her.
She added: "I think Delvin has sent it to me. He knew I worked a lot and he has tried to make it easier.
"I am ready for [his funeral] to be a celebration. I think he wouldn't want us to be sad.
"Of course it's going to be emotional but I will make sure we do our best, because he wanted the best. We are going to celebrate his life, although it was short.
"If I could go in his place I would be happy to do it, but that's life."
Finally, Ms Chipiri had a special message for anyone who has donated to the online fund for Delvin's family.
She said: "What you have done, keep it in your hearts and don't let anyone take it away from you and may you help other families as well, who are in the same situation.
"I have lived here for so many years and I have just gone to work and come home, without realising the strength of the town around me.
"Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, and may God bless you all."
Info News
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