KNIFE AMNESTY WALK IN MEMORY OF ANTHONY BURKE start

Knife amnesty walk for stabbed Rhuddlan teen
Apr 7 2010 by Martin Williams, Denbigh Visitor




Anthony Burke

A FAMILY has vowed to march to cut knife crime in memory of a popular young man stabbed to death just before Christmas last year.

Cindy Burke, whose son Anthony was killed near his home in Rhuddlan, has organised a parade from Rhyl to Rhuddlan hoping to get a knife amnesty in the towns.

Together with neighbours and friends of the former Blessed Edward Jones High School pupil, she will walk from the clock tower on East Parade to Rhuddlan Castle.

Along the way they will sell ribbons and T-shirts highlighting the dangers of knife crime.

Cindy said: "I still feel terrible, it's been a terrible time for all of us since it happened. There are so many things I want to say, and I just can't.

"But we do want to get a message out there, there are lots of important messages. Knife crime can happen anywhere, not just in big cities.

"We want to highlight the problem and will be selling badges and ribbons along the way to raise awareness.

"I hope people will come and show their support for the amnesty walk. We must try and stop knife crime."

Nearly 800 people have already signed up to a Facebook page called: "Knife Amnesty Walk in Memory of Anthony Burke".

And another Facebook group called: "Rest In Peace - Anthony Finbar Burke... Another Knife Victim...", has more than 3,210 members.

Anthony was stabbed near his home on Clos y Berllan on December 23, and died the next day at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Bodelwyddan.

A keen footballer and Manchester United fan, his funeral in February was attended by hundreds of friends, relatives and former classmates.

Anthony's brother Ged, 18, a student in public service at Llandrillo College in Rhos-on-Sea, regularly re-visits the spot where his brother was killed, where locals have continued to lay fresh flowers.

He said: "He was my big brother, we all miss him. I really hope we get lots of support on the day."

Vale of Clwyd MP Chris Ruane said: "Having spoken to Mrs Burke I would like to pay tribute to her wish to make something positive come out of such a unnecessary tragedy.

"Her campaign to highlight the evils of carrying knives at the height of her personal tragedy is to be commended."

North Wales Police said amnesty bins are at all stations -- including Rhyl -- if anyone wanted to dispose of a knife.

They are already collecting weapons after beginning a two-month knife amnesty in February following a march on Holyhead in memory of 21-year-old Leon Jones, who was stabbed close to his home last November.

Police last month said dozens of knives had already been handed in, including a Japanese sword, kitchen knives, lock knives and a Gurkha military blade.

The march will go ahead at 2pm this Saturday. For more information visit the 'Knife Amnesty Walk in Memory of Anthony Burke' group on Facebook.

Oliver Michael Taylor, 19, of Berllan Avenue in Rhuddlan, has pleaded not guilty to Anthony's murder and will stand trial on April 19 at Mold Crown Court.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• KNIFE
• AMNESTY
• WALK
• IN
• MEMORY
• OF
• ANTHONY
• BURKE

[tracyos369]

I used to be in school with Anthony's sister Sara a long time ago.