James Bulger's 18th birthday appeal
An appeal was launched today to open a new school for bullied children in Liverpool, to carry the name of murder victim James Bulger, who would have celebrated his 18th birthday on Sunday, March 16.
His mother, Denise Fergus, has given her full support to the £1m campaign by the Red Balloon charity.
I was covering Liverpool as a reporter for the Press Association when James was abducted and killed by schoolboys Robert Thompson and Jon Venables in 1993, and I went on to write a book about the case, working in co-operation with Denise and her family and the Merseyside Police squad who investigated it. I suppose I can claim to have been as close to that awful tragedy as any journalist could have been.
It goes without saying that it was unbelievably harrowing for James's parents and wider family, and I don't think anyone whose life was touched by the case, however peripherally, was not left deeply affected by it.
When a story becomes as big as this one was, attracting headlines around the world, it never really ends. Years of international legal debate followed the conviction of the killers by an adult court, and then of course there was the controversy surrounding their eventual release back into society. But even when nothing material has happened, there always seems to be another anniversary coming around to remind everyone of the full horror of what happened. Every time, all the terrible memories of those dark days of 1993 come flooding back, even for me.
Sometimes I find it a little disquieting. The anniversary of a notorious murder will not be lost on the relatives of the victim as a time of fresh mourning and deep reflection. What is really served by digging over the coals of the case in the media, other than fuelling our own morbid fascination as a society with such terrible events?
This, however, is different. The 18th birthday of her late son could have been a day for Denise to mourn privately, in which case she should have the right to do so untroubled by the glare of media attention. She has chosen, however, to use the occasion in a powerfully positive way, by utilising the nation's deep and enduring sympathy for what she went through in the loss of her son to create something important and meaningful as a permanent reminder of his life. She hasn't chosen the easiest course, but she has certainly chosen a courageous one. I hope everyone supports her in her aim, and that its outcome is successful.
If you would like to support this appeal, you can send a cheque or postal order payable to Red Balloon James Bulger House Appeal, to Red Balloon James Bulger House Appeal, PO Box 1305, Liverpool, L69 3LB. You can also make a donation via the Red Balloon website, www.redballoonlearner.co.uk
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Mark Thomas
Words fail me when I think of what happened to James.
I can only say that my thoughts will be with Denise and her family on James birthday and that I fully support her aims for the Red Balloon James Bulger House Appeal.
God Bless you Denise.
I just read of the crime about 2 weeks ago. Although the crime happened 15 years ago I was deeply saddened. I have a son who is almost 2 and I cried all week long when I thought about this crime. I still cry. How my heart aches for what this little baby, darling baby, had to go through. My heart aches for what Denise and Ralph have had to endure at the loss of their precious son. My prayers will sincerely be with you.
Sjanie
This is an awful thing for anyone to go through and my love and heart goes out to James family I live in Somerset and I am going to try and collect money for this appeal in my area,I have a four year old boy and he is very precious to me and even more now. The law needs to change what that little boy had to go through was awful how can anyone forgive thous boys my outlook is that they commited a crime as a adult and should be trailed as a adult why sould they have new identities ands start a new life so what if they have served the time what about Mrs Bulger do you think she will ever forget what happened to her little boy no she wont justice is not enough and no matter what happens to the boys it will never bring back her baby but we need to stop this and sort out society children, husbands, wifes, aunties, uncles all over the world are being harmed and killed this needs to stop, if the govement fight other countries how do you expect us to teach our childred that fighting is wrong, it happens every day and needs to stop, us as society need to change this stop the fighting stop the abuse
If only we could go back in time, and change that fateful day. My thoughts are never far from James. This memorial James is long overdue - I wish the organisers all the best, and James' family.
Love always James.
I think it is wonderful what you are doing in memory of James, I would happily run the London Marathon to raise funds in his name, thats how strongly I feel about his precious little soul, It may be 15 years but it might as well be 15 minutes when I read his story my heart was ripped out, Denise is the bravest woman Ive ever known, I do believe we go on after death, where ever James is Im sure all the love people all over the world have for him is reaching his heart, we will never forget and Denise WILL be reunited one day, time does not exist on the other side he is waiting....love to all the Bulger family x
I HAVE SENT OUT HIS EMAIL TO EVERY ONE POSSIBLE. T.V. STATIONS,TALK SHOWS,RADIO STATONS,POLICE IN ENGLAND AS WELL AS THE U.S. THERE IS STRENGTH IN NUMBEWhomever this concerns,
Fifteen years ago James Bulger was kidnapped and murdered. I was only a 12 year old from the United States at the time,however this changed my life the day I read about his horrible tradgedy. Everywhere I went I saw little boys like James. Every thought was consumed by this for a long time. I cried that day for James and for children alike. The tears have not stopped 15 years later and he has never been far from my thoughts! There have been months and years in between,but ultimately James somehow returns to my life. Since becoming an adult and a parent my feelings about this have intensified,especially this year. I have a dream despite the nightmare,that James will be remembered for his life and help others through his death!! I am attempting to organize a sponsored walk for James in Liverpool sometime in the next year or two.( The proceeds will go to the Red Balloon Center). I know I am not alone in my journey with James;several people from around the world feel the same way I do. We discuss him often and what we can do in his honor. I need help though and support from the public. We will need sponsors and the media to support us and our dream for James. I will no longer sit back and do nothing. So we have the choice to take the walk alone or band together and have the power to make a difference. I also want his mom Denise to know that in homes all over the world her son is still loved. She should not struggle alone when there are so many people who see him as their own and really deeply want to do whatever possible for his cause. So please find the strength in your hearts to see James as I do. A a friend,a child and a reason to make the world a better place for the children today. Thank you for your time and remember you can always find me on"A Dream Swiflty Stolen Forum",Christian Memorials or simply e-mail me at SIWY0206@YAHOO.COM. If you choose to suppport mine and James dream. We all love James and will never forget him.
Thank You,
Sarah Cundiff
RS FOR JAMES!!
i remember hearing about this story when i was only nine, and i read up about this only last week, it completly broke my heart, i have a three year old son, and since readng about this poor baby its made me realise how prescious he is to me he is my world and what his mother had to indure is terrible, my thoughts are with you and james alawys xxx