“We Must Unite Against Knife Crime”-Sue Hedges and Peguy Kato To Hold Special Vigil For Henry Nowak And All Victims of Knife crime outside the Town Hall in Romford.

Two mothers whose lives have been shattered by knife crime are calling on the Havering community to stand together in memory of those lost and to send a powerful message that enough is enough.

Havering bereaved mother Sue Hedges will be joined by fellow campaigner Peguy Kato outside Havering Town Hall on Monday 15 June for a special vigil honouring Henry Nowak and all victims of knife crime.

Sue, whose son Ricky Hayden was killed with a machete in 2016, has spent years campaigning against knife crime and supporting families devastated by violence. Together with Peguy, she will lay flowers and hold a minute’s silence for 18-year-old Henry Nowak, who was fatally stabbed in Southampton, as well as Ricky, Champion and all those whose lives have been stolen by knife crime.

The event will begin at 6.30pm, with a minute’s silence taking place at 7pm.

Families, friends and members of the public are being invited to attend, lay flowers and stand shoulder to shoulder in solidarity with those who have suffered unimaginable loss.

Speaking to the Havering Daily, Sue said:

“Where do we even start now with knife crime? We have been begging and pleading for people to help us bring an end to all these deaths of our young people and no one wants to know.”

“We all know it’s going to happen. It has become so ingrained in our lives now. No one even takes any notice of it anymore. It’s just another stabbing. It seems to have become part of our society.”

Sue spoke of her frustration at years of campaigning that she believes has gone largely unheard.

“It has gone so far now that none of us even know where to begin to stop it. For years we have pleaded with politicians to help us put an end to this, to work with our communities at grassroots level, and yet every one closes the door in our faces.”

She added:

“My thoughts go out to Henry’s family. I understand the pain they are going through. No child should lose their life like that.”

The vigil comes amid growing concern over the continuing loss of young lives to knife crime across the country, with campaigners warning that behind every statistic is a family left to endure a lifetime of heartbreak.

For Sue and Peguy, Monday’s gathering is about remembrance, unity and ensuring that those who have been lost are never forgotten.

“We must unite against knife crime. As a community we must be united, as no one else seems interested,” Sue finished.

Havering’s Leader of the Council, Councillor Keith Prince, will also attend the vigil in support of the two bereaved mothers and the families affected by knife crime.

Residents wishing to pay their respects are invited to gather outside Havering Town Hall from 6.30pm on Monday 15 June, with flowers welcome. The minute’s silence will take place at 7pm.

In memory of Henry Nowak, Ricky Hayden, Champion Ganda and every life lost to knife crime, the message from Havering’s bereaved families is clear: the community must stand together.

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