Red Balloon-Liverpool James Bulger House
Red Balloon-Liverpool James Bulger House
James Bulger's mother, Denise Fergus, is a trustee of Red Balloon - Liverpool and is actively working with the fundraising campaign to create a new learner centre in the heart of Liverpool as a lasting memorial and tribute to her son, James. James was aged two when he was murdered in 1993.
Denise recollects that James was a “bright little boy who knew his ABC and his numbers. Most days something will trigger a memory. Images come into my mind or I will think back to things that he did or said. One day I came out of the shower and sprayed on some deodorant, 'You smell lovely, Mummy', he said and it put a big smile on my face. I still wear that same deodorant today. I do believe his spirit lives on and I feel that he's still somehow present at my side wherever I go. Now I am an ordinary, happy – yes, happy - wife and mum at home. My husband Stuart and our three sons Michael, 14, Thomas, 9 and Leon, 8, are the centre of my world. They make life worth living. On the night I met Stuart I told him who I was. He took a lot on when he married me. We have a very close, loving relationship, built on absolute trust.
Since I have been involved with Red Balloon I have become more outgoing than ever, and working with Carrie Herbert, Esther Rantzen and the team of Trustees has opened up a whole new area for me. I am really excited about all the work and the fundraising necessary to establish this new Centre. The more I remember James the more comfort I feel and that is one of the reasons I want to see Red Balloon-Liverpool James Bulger House opened as soon as possible. It will be a fitting tribute to his memory.”
Red Balloon – Liverpool, like Cambridge, Norwich and North West London, will be based in a residential house in central Liverpool. Specialising in providing a safe learning environment for children who have been severely bullied, James Bulger House will be a sanctuary for students between the ages of 10 and 17 who are no longer in mainstream school.
The Centre will provide an ‘intensive care’ full-time education for these children, of whom at least half may well have attempted or seriously contemplated suicide. The students who are accepted are promised a safe learning environment with clear boundaries for behaviour, and an individual full-time academic, pastoral and therapeutic programme. Once the students have regained their confidence and are able to cope academically and socially, they will return to mainstream school, enter further education or employment with support from Red Balloon.
To help us with fundraising, please contact Penny Growcoot on 0151 329 2024, by post to PO Box 1305, Liverpool L69 23LB, or by e-mail on penny@national.redballoonlearner.org.uk. Any offers of help in raising funds for the new Red Balloon in Liverpool, in memory of James Bulger, will be very welcome. Also, of course, you can visit www.justgiving.com/jamesbulger
Posted by Red Balloon Liverpool on 4th Oct 2008