Grieving families of victims of violence come together at Liverpool vigil
It's the second year a service of remembrance will take place at the city's Cathedral
Last updated 23rd Sep 2022
A special event will take place in Liverpool today (Friday, 23 September) to remember those youngsters who have lost their lives through violence.
Liverpool Cathedral will host the vigil with the aim to bring together the family and friends of those who have been killed as a result of violent crimes such as knife and gun crime.
The service of remembrance will begin at 6:30pm and will feature a series of live music performances, poetry readings and speeches from those who have been affected by youth violence.
Those attending the vigil will be able to light a candle and share memories of their loved one in a book of condolence.
The inspiration behind the event is Mandy Jamieson whose son Danny was stabbed to death in Gateacre, July 2018, aged just 16.
Mandy tells us everyone is welcome at the vigil:
"Please come celebrate our kids lives - or your loved ones lives - it means so much. I'm so proud that we can do it. My child existed - Ava White existed - Olivia existed - all the others existed - it's something that I didn't ask for but some good has got to come from Daniel's death."
Since the tragedy, Mandy has set up Danny’s Place - a charity which facilitates talks to schools, youth organisations and the probation sector about the ripple effect knife crime can have.
Mandy says education is key:
"If I can stop one child from picking any weapon up, it mean so much to me. You can see the impact on the kids when I do my talk. I show them these videos as well as asking them 'would your mum like to hold you while you bleed out on the floor?' - I have to be completely straight with them. I believe we shouldn't wrap children in cotton wool - they need to know how much damage it does."
This event, which is supported by the Major of Liverpool and the Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership, is the second vigil for youth violence.