The mother of a murder victim who died after he was stabbed is raising money to bring the Knife Angel to her hometown to raise awareness of the dangers of street violence.
Zoey McGill is planning to bring the thought-provoking sculpture to Newton Aycliffe in the summer.
It is hoped a local firm will be transporting it but Zoey has been told she has to raise £5,000 as a damage deposit.
When the money is returned it will be donated to the Great North Air Ambulance and other charities.
Her son, Jack Woodley, who was 18, died in October 2021, when he was fatally wounded with a knife during a gang attack as he left a fun fair.
Ten teenagers, who were 14 to 17 at the time, are now serving life sentences for his murder.
Zoey, who is 37, said: “Since losing Jack a part of me died too. I live day to day just existing in his memories.
“The only way I function is by fighting for change.
“I can't let this continue, I won't watch any more families bury their children.”
Zoey is backing The Northern Echo’s campaign to address the root causes of knife crime, which was launched after her son’s killers were jailed.
As part of the campaign, the Northern Echo launched the North East Knife Crime Taskforce, a public forum for organisation to work together to tackle the problem.
The model has been praised by Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper who said the model could be rolled out across the country if Labour wins the next election.
The Knife Angel, designed by artist Alfie Bradley, is made out of blades handed in during amnesties held by police forces.
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Zoey said: “We have been allowed to bring the Knife Angel to Jack’s hometown in August with the aim of raising much-needed awareness.
“I will personally attend the event and share some of Jack’s final moments in the hope children not only see the impact but feel them.
“If we manage to save just one young life that is enough.
“This event, I am sure, will be a huge success among communities far and wide and also gives us the opportunity to never forget our Jack the lad and every single other victim of this horrific soul-destroying crime.
“I hope and pray we can pull this off with the help of everyone and make this event happen.”
To support the fundraiser click here
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