14/03/2008

Appeal Launched For Bulger Memorial

The mother of murdered toddler James Bulger has launched an appeal for a memorial to him.

An appeal to raise £1 million for the James Bulger House Appeal to set up a refuge for bullied children, called the Red Balloon Leaner Centre was launched on Friday by Jamie's mother, Denise Fergus ahead of what would have been her son's 18th birthday.

The refuge will be based in Liverpool.

Ms Fergus was joined by Esther Rantzen and Merseyside Police Chief Constable Bernard Hogan-Howe to launch the appeal at the city's Radisson Hotel.

Speaking at the launch, Ms Fergus said: "Nothing can ever bring back James and I have got to live with that knowledge. His 18th birthday is going to be a particularly hard time for me and all our family, not having him with us. I will never forget my son and I still get messages of support from all over the world. So, I was very pleased when Esther explained about her idea for a memorial to James."

James was two years old when he was abducted by schoolboys Robert Thompson and Jon Venables in the Strand shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside on February 12 1993.

The two ten-year-olds then murdered him at railway tracks near Walton in Merseyside.

(KMcA)


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