Members of the public attend a candle-lit vigil outside the Hippodrome Theatre in Birmingham
(Picture: PA)Emotional crowds sang Over the Rainbow in memory of Brianna Ghey at a candlelit vigil close to where the trans girl was stabbed to death last weekend.
Manchester mayor Andy Burnham was one of hundreds of people who gathered at Culcheth Village Green in Warrington, Cheshire, on Friday night to remember the 16-year-old.
Brianna, from Birchwood in Warrington, was found with fatal stab wounds on a path in nearby Culcheth Linear Park at around 3.13pm on Saturday.
The Warrington Guardian reported that mourners were reduced to tears when the minister of Culcheth Methodist Church spoke, to say: “We are hurting together.
“Do not suffer alone. Please talk to someone.”
The vigil, one of dozens to have been organised across the UK, was attended by the mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and his daughter Annie.
He tweeted: “Here to remember Brianna, send our love to her family and support to young trans people everywhere.”
Many of the well-wishers wore “rest in power Brianna Ghey” T-shirts with picture of her on the front.
Flowers laid and candles lit at the Culcheth vigil for Brianna tonight. #RestInPride 🏳️⚧️💔 pic.twitter.com/sVb3y14FB6
— Sue Forrest 💉💉💉 (@CakeItAwaySue) February 17, 2023
Members of the public also gathered outside the Hippodrome Theatre in Birmingham on Friday night, with other vigils taking place in Southampton, Nottingham and Edinburgh.
In a statement released via the police, Brianna’s family said they had been “overwhelmed” by “support, positivity and compassion” from across the country.
A boy and a girl, both aged 15, have been charged with her murder and appeared via videolink at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday where a trial date was fixed for July.
More memorials are planned to take place over the weekend, including another in her home town of Warrington on Saturday afternoon.
