A mum has vowed to keep her son's memory alive as she helps others through their unimaginable grief.
Daniel Gee-Jamieson died after sustaining a fatal stab wound at a park just off Belle Vale Road in Gateacre in July 2018. As mum Mandy lay holding her son in her arms, Daniel said: "Mum, I just want to go to sleep."
Since the tragedy, Mandy has set up Danny’s Place, a social enterprise keeping her son's memory alive and speaking to young people about the wider effects knife crime can have on all those involved. Mandy told the ECHO: "We were trying to open a community centre but that didn't work out.
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"I now deliver talks on the ripple of knife crime and what I try to show kids is that when you see someone has been killed, all they see is the headline but no-one sees the damage it causes to families and it's sad. I ask them to put their mum in my position and up to now it's been really good, you can see in the kid's faces they are impacted by it.
"I recently launched the knife angel in Birkenhead as well and that went well, it all means a lot because all of my grief went into Danny's Place. If I can stop one child picking up a knife that would mean the world to me. I'm proud to talk about Daniel, it's what he deserves."
Back in 2021, the first vigil of reflection took place in Liverpool to remember the lives lost through violence. This year, the poignant service will return on September 23 at 6.30pm at Liverpool Cathedral.
Inviting all those who know someone impacted by violence, there will be a series of live music performances, poetry readings and speeches by those who have been affected by violent tragedies. The service is open to the public and those attending will be encouraged to light a candle at the venue and contribute to a book of condolence to share memories of their loved one.
This year's event is expected to be "bigger" as Mandy added: "Last year I was approached about a national remembrance day to all victims of youth violence and we had eight weeks to prepare, it was really good. This year it will be better.
"Our kids, and all loved ones lost, especially with young Olivia Pratt-Korbel and Ava White, their lives need to be celebrated. Each year in Liverpool, we want to celebrate our loved ones and without Mayor Joanne Anderson and the violence reduction team, we wouldn't have been able to do this. The support she has given me is 100%.
"I want all families impacted to come along and we want young Olivia's mum to know we are all here for her and she's not alone. That's another reason I want families to come together. Victim's families get left and this is an opportunity to celebrate our loved ones. Hopefully we wont have any more victim's families but our children did exist."
The poignant event will see bereaved families come together and celebrate the lives of their lost loved ones, paying tribute to those lost too soon, as well as spreading the message that people are "not alone". Mandy said: "I cant believe the support we have received from everyone involved.
"We have some great speakers on the day, including Nikhill Misra, a consultant trauma surgeon at Aintree who worked on Daniel. It broke his heart when he died, he is such a lovely man. We hope everyone can attend. It's Danny's legacy, I don't think anyone's child should be forgotten. I'm a fighter, I have to fight it's why I'm doing what I'm doing.
She continued: "As for parents, my one message would be, do you know where your children are and who they are hanging around with? But more importantly, have you checked them today? By doing so, you could be saving another child's life. For any family who has lost a loved one through violence, please do come. It's worth taking two hours out of your time to join us and celebrate their life."
Gun and knife crime has once again devastated local communities in recent weeks. Olivia Pratt-Korbel, nine, was shot and killed when a gunman forced his way into her family's home while, just two days earlier, Ashley Dale murdered when a gunman forced open her front door and opened fire "indiscriminately".
In a bid to lobby the government to introduce an official national remembrance day for victims and the families of youth violence, the cathedral event will be an open invitation to anyone affected by this type of crime.
Mayor of Liverpool Anderson said: "Violence and Liverpool has been in the headlines far too much of late following a spate of atrocious crimes, crimes that do not represent us or our city. Once again, young people are being taken far too soon under the most horrific of circumstances, but as is so typical of Liverpool, in the face of adversity we all stand shoulder-to-shoulder to send out the message that this will not be tolerated here.
"I’m so pleased we can support this service of reflection, which is an opportunity for those who have experienced this pain to come together in a supportive and empathetic environment. By shining a spotlight on this difficult subject, we can educate others and hopefully prevent further tragedies from happening in our city."
Detective Superintendent Siobhan Gainer, Head of the Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership, added: "The Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership believes that all communities in Merseyside have the right to be free from violence to provide the best life chances for all. Vigils like this one, often in their quiet way, show complete community solidarity and help get our important message across."
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