‘If it stops just one person, then it's worth its weight’
Parents of murdered Connor Brown hail important message of Knife Angel statue as it is unveiled in region
The mums of Connor Brown and Nikki Allan have spoken about the impact of crime on their families at the unveiling of the Knife Angel sculpture.
Yesterday, the 27ft sculpture, crafted out of 100,000 surrendered knives, was unveiled at The Sage, Gateshead.
ArtistAlfieBradleyworked with The British Ironwork Centre to create the angel. It came to Gateshead following a campaign by Alison Madgin, whose18-year-olddaughterSamantha died in 2007.
Crowds gathered at the emotional event to remember those who have lost their lives across the region.
Sunderland lad Connor Brown, 18, died after being fatally stabbed on a night out in Sunderland city centre last
February.
His parents Tanya and Simon Brown plan to get their son’s name engraved on the back of the sculpture.
They also placed a wreath with his photo there on Thursday.
Tanya said: “I’m pleased we came.Itisjustamazingtohave it so close to home.
“It means so much to be here but it’s hard at the same time.Wejusthopeithitshome.
“If it stops one person, then it’s worth its weight. That’s what it’s all about – people getting the message and its preventionofhavingtogothrough this.
“No family should have to suffer like this.
“We are in the process of settingupacharityinConnor’s nameandwe’regoingtoaimtowards preventing crime with younger people.
“We hope that Connor’s name will live in the hearts of everybody.”
Octoberlastyearmarked27 years since the body of sevenyear-oldNikkiAllanwasfound in a derelict building in Wear Garth,Sunderland,inOctober 1992. She had been stabbed 37 times.
Her mum Sharon Henderson, who also attended the unveiling,said:“I’mfinallygetting support after 27 years and it means a lot to my children.
“Today has felt emotional butIhopetheGovernmentwill take this crime seriously now. It’s so horrendous in Britain.
“It’sunbelievablehowfamilieshavetosuffer.I’moneofthe families who try to help those othersbutI’mlostnowbecause there’smoreandmorewhoare affected. I’m there for support and always will be.”
The angel will remain outside The Sage until Thursday, February 27. It will then continue its tour to educate on the impact of knife crime.