Olivia Pratt-Korbel's mum 'overwhelmed' by support for memorial garden
Plans are in place to transform an area of land in Olivia's memory
Last updated 25th Aug 2023
The mum of murdered nine-year old Olivia Pratt-Korbel says she's overwhelmed by the support they've received around creating a memorial garden in her daughter's memory.
Plans are in place to convert land on Kingsheath Avenue in Dovecot into a children's play area.
There would also be a space for quiet reflection, as well as miniature roads and signs as part of a wider road safety scheme.
An initial fundraiser has already raised nearly £5,500, but more is needed to make the safe space a reality.
Our charity Cash for Kids is now helping community group KADVA to raise the much-needed funds, and donations can be made here.
Cheryl Korbel said:
“My family and I have been overwhelmed with the amount of support that we have received from the community regarding the proposed memorial garden for Olivia. Olivia loved to play with her friends and I know she would have been really excited at the thought of this happening.
"Liv would be absolutely made up with it"
"Liv would be absolutely made up with it. The fact that it's only down the road from where we lived, she would've been able to play with her friends, but I know she'll be up there watching all her friends play.
"Having a lovely safe area for children to play and make memories with friends would be a huge positive for the area. I look forward to the day when the plans come to life and the garden is complete.
"It'll be lovely to spend a bit of time in there and reflect and watch the kids playing, even Liv's friends, it's a long-lasting legacy.
"I fully support the fundraising efforts of everyone involved and encourage people to donate to the garden in memory of our beautiful Olivia”
Olivia's Aunt Kerrieann Korbel said:
"Speaking as a mum, for my two girls there is actually nothing around here for them to play.
"For all the kids around here, it would be ideal for somewhere for them to play or even just sit around and be with friends.
"This garden would mean a lot to us as a family, not just for the community.
"She's (Olivia's) always in our hearts, but it'll be something memorable for her as well and for us to look at every day."
Stephen Blennerhassett, from Kingsheath and District Veterans' Association, said:
"It really would be a dream. More than just a dream for Olivia, her family and all the little boys and girls around here who've got nothing at all. It'll be a wonderful park.
"It's a run-down area, there isn't a great deal of money from either the council or anybody else at all, so any support whatsoever would just be wonderful and greatly appreciated.
It'll be a wonderland
"It's not just going to be a conventional park that people are used to with swings and slides.
"We're going to construct roads that are identical to real roads in every single way, but in miniature (form) with miniature traffic lights and give-way signs.
It's going to be something wonderful for children. We're going to have toy police cars and toy vans and just about everything.
"It'll be a wonderland for the little boys and girls and toddlers around here."
It's time to go with it now
Liverpool West Derby MP Ian Byrne said:
"What happened to Olivia is just so tragic, it's affected so many people in the community and I think from that absolutely devastating incident, potentially, we could have something for the kids to remember Olivia and somewhere for the family to go and the community to go and I think that's really important.
"It's time to go with it now. We really want people to contribute, get involved, help us.
"We've got gardeners from St Helens' getting in contact, we've spoken to the Liverpool Botanical Gardeners who want to come over and get involved because Olivia loved sunflowers.
"We just know that people are desperate to put something within this area - turn what is a grot-spot into something quite beautiful.
"It's already been done organically with the tree, but there's so much to do.
"The plans are fantastic. It can be a real resource for the area and in memory of that beautiful little girl and for the family.
"For me, it could be part of the healing process."
There are also calls for a change in the law so offenders have to appear in court when they're sentenced.
It's after the man who killed Olivia, Thomas Cashman, refused to come up from the cells to hear his sentence, or the victim impact statements from Olivia's loved ones.
The 'Face The Family' campaign is pushing the government to introduce new laws, which order an offender to be present in court for sentencing or face further punishment.
You can sign the petition now by clicking here