18 red balloons mark sad occasion for family of James Bulger

Mar 17 2008

EIGHTEEN red balloons were released yesterday to mark what would have been the 18th birthday of murdered toddler James Bulger.

A birthday cake was also placed on James’s grave by his mother, Denise Fergus, during a private ceremony at Kirkdale Cemetery in Liverpool, attended by friends and family of the child.

James was murdered by 10-year-olds Jon Venables and Robert Thompson on February 13, 1993 in a crime that stunned the world. The two-year-old was abducted from Bootle’s New Strand shopping centre and killed on a railway line.

Speaking about James’s birthday, Mrs Fergus said last week: “It’s going to be hard but I’m still going to give him the birthday he so much deserves. My family and very close friends are going to the cemetery and I do want the kids to set off 18 red balloons because I think it’s so important for James to celebrate his 18th birthday wherever he is.

“But I just want the day to come and go as quickly as possible so I’m going to put the cake down on his grave for him.”

She said she would be involving her three children Michael, 14, Thomas, nine, and Leon, eight, in the event.

Mrs Fergus, who lives in Kirkby, Liverpool, said: “They do understand what’s going on. They don’t understand the full details of what happened to him but they have had to grow up with James’s murder.”

The 38-year-old also said James’s killers had taken her “whole world” away from her.

They were released from custody on life licences in 2001, having served eight years in a youth offenders’ institute, and given secret identities.

She said: “I don’t think they should have been able to celebrate their 18th birthdays and should not be allowed to be walking around freely.

“They did do a most horrendous crime. They took away my whole world from me. A part of their lives should have been taken from them.

“I’m not saying lock them up indefinitely but 10 to 15 years. At least then we would have seen a bit of justice for James.

“I am really annoyed that they have gone on to create new lives for themselves with new identities and they are protected.

“I don’t think the Government have done enough for me, they could have done more. I’ve fought for 15 years for justice for James and I have never won anything.”

On Friday, Mrs Fergus helped launch the James Bulger House Appeal, aiming to raise £1m to fund the Red Balloon Learner Centre, which provide an educational refuge for bullied children. It is the first memorial to the murdered youngster.

She also wants to set up a Red Balloon house for children in primary schools once the first appeal is complete.

She added: “I want to grab this with both hands. Once this is up and running I want to open another one for younger kids. I’m really excited about what is happening. So let’s get all these houses up and running.”

She said the release of the red balloons would also mark the launch of the charity appeal.

The Red Balloon charity is a specialist group who provide education for youngsters too damaged to return to mainstream education.

DONATIONS for the new centre shouldcan be sent to Red Balloon James Bulger House Appeal, PO Box 1305, Liverpool L69 3LB., or at. Donations can also be made on the website www.redballoonlearner.co.uk.