Lancashire terror survivor backs day to commemorate victims
Darwen born and raised terror attack survivor Travis Frain has backed a new national day to commemorate victims and survivors of terrorism
Darwen born and raised terror attack survivor Travis Frain has backed a new national day to commemorate victims and survivors of terrorism.
The government announced the move on Wednesday along with a new support hub to help those affected by such attacks.
Victims, survivors, their loved ones and the general public are being encouraged to offer their views to shape key aspects of the proposed National Day including naming the day, date, and suggesting ways the day could be commemorated.
Security Minister, Dan Jarvis, said: “The impact of a terrorist attack is long-lasting and evolving. Victims and survivors of terrorism need the highest levels of support to recover and rebuild their lives.
“These reforms will significantly enhance the support available to those affected.”
Mr Frain, was injured when a terrorist drove a hired car into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge in London on March 22 2017, before exiting the vehicle and attacking nearby people with a blade.
A 19-year-old university student at the time, Travis was one of around 50 people injured and six people were killed.
Since that day, he has been determined to raise awareness of the terrorist threat and campaign for improved vigilance and protection in the hope of preventing such needless trauma and loss of life again.
Mr Frain became co-founder of ‘Students in Terror’ and founded the Resilience in Unity Project in 2021, which aims to counter radicalisation by empowering the voices of survivors of terrorism from around the world.
An advisor for the National Counter-Terrorism Advisory Group, his achievements were recognised with an OBE in the King’s New Year’s Honours List in 2024.
Mr Frain said: “Recognition and remembrance are key to building societal resilience against violent extremism, and I welcome the announcement that the government will be launching a consultation on the establishment of a ‘National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism’.
“This is something that I, and several other survivors, have been campaigning on for many years, and I’m pleased to see that this government recognises the importance of these issues and the role that they can play in facilitating the recovery of those impacted by horrific acts of terrorism.”