Group ready to remember the victims
David Hines.
A SUPPORT group set up by a South Tyneside man to help families devastated by murder and manslaughter is holding its annual memorial service this week.
The ninth National Victims Association memorial service will allow loved ones to light a candle in memory of a crime victim at St Mary’s RC Cathedral in Newcastle on Saturday.
The National Victims Association (NVA) was founded in 1992 by Jarrow man David Hines after the death of his daughter, Marie, who was killed by her former partner.
The gathering aims to bring families that have lost a loved one, through a violent crime, together.
Ahead of the service, led by Monsignor Ged Lavender, families will be able to place a photograph of their loved one on the altar and light a candle in their memory.
Mr Hines, NVA chairman, said: “The service is about celebrating the lives of those who are no longer with us.
“Our last service was very well attended, and we would like to see the cathedral full to the rafters again.”
The service, which is open to the public if they wish to express their condolences, will be attended by the Duchess of Northumberland and civic representatives from across the North East, including the Mayor and Mayoress of South Tyneside, Coun Jim Sewell and his wife, Rosemary.
Coun Sewell said: “The memorial service will be a poignant and emotional occasion, but will be an opportunity for families, who are suffering as a result of serious crimes, to come together in the knowledge that they are not alone in their grieving.”
The service will also be attended for the second time by Oliver Ferez, who travels from France to pay tribute to his son, Gabriel, who was stabbed to death in London in 2008.
Mr Hines said: “This is the second time Oliver will be travelling from France to be part of the service.
“This year he will be bringing his 14-year-old son.
“His presence at the service shows just how far the charity is reaching out to those who have suffered the death of a loved one through murder and manslaughter.”
The multi-denominational service is for people of any faith or no faith at all.
The service, starting at 11.30am, will be followed by a balloon release ceremony in the cathedral’s garden of remembrance.
For more information, call Mr Hines on 423 2210
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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