Why Chelsea is hoping Mickey’s legacy lives on
BRAVE CAMPAIGNER WAIVED ANONYMITY TO FIGHT ABUSE
THE granddaughter of a man who devoted much of his life campaigning to expose historical child abuse in Nottingham hopes others will carry on his legacy.
Chelsea Summers, 30, is proud that Mickey Summers, who died last month, had waived his legal right to anonymity as an alleged victim of a sex offence to encourage other victims to come forward.
In 2016 the Crown Prosecution Service said it would not be prosecuting anyone in relation to the case of Mickey – who claimed to have suffered abuse in city children’s homes in the 1960s.
It was one of many allegations of historical abuse dating back to the 1950s in children’s homes in Nottinghamshire, and there were a number of legal cases under way.
Nottinghamshire Police launched Operation Daybreak in 2011 and investigated many allegations involving more than 100 victims, while Operation Xeres looked into similar allegations in north Nottinghamshire.
Mickey’s was one of the highest-profile cases but the CPS said it would not prosecute anyone in his case after considering the evidence.
But Mr Summers, of Clifton, vowed to continue his fight for justice. He had moved to America when he remarried but Chelsea said he moved back to Nottingham to campaign.
Chelsea, of Croydon, said: “What I hope in my heart of hearts is that others pick up the mantle and carry on the legacy he worked so hard to express. Just because he has gone, it does not have to end there.”
Councillor Kay Cutts, leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “Mr Summers – or Mickey, as he insisted I and my officers referred to him – was a singularly determined and resolute campaigner.
“He sought both the truth of and, wherever possible, justice for the hundreds of people who as children were abused whilst in the care of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire councils. We hope that he rests in peace.”
Mr Summers, 67, died on December 8. Chelsea, named after his beloved Chelsea FC, said the cause of death was not yet known.
“A friend was worried because they had not heard from him for a couple of days,” she says. “They called police and an ambulance came and they found him dead.”
Mr Summers was a season ticket holder and lifelong supporter of Chelsea and a Gofundme page has been set up at uk.gofundme.com/f/mickeysummers-memorial-plaque to buy a memorial plaque at Stamford Bridge.