UK NEWS
CAMPAIGNING MOTHER'S LIFE A 'LIVING NIGHTMARE'
Pat Regan's son Danny was shot in 2002
By Penny Stretton for express.co.uk
SHE left a lasting impression on everyone she met and gave others hope when they feared violence could claim their life or a family member’s.
Now, in a cruel twist of fate Pat Regan, a passionate campaigner against gun and knife crime, has been murdered.
Six years ago Mrs Regan’s son Danny was mercilessly gunned down in St Helen’s, Merseyside shortly before Christmas. His killer has never been found.
Devastated at the loss of her son she battled depression but found comfort in talking to other mothers in similar situations.
It was these lasting connections she made with other families and the heart breaking stories she heard after the tragic loss of Danny that ignited a passion in Mrs Regan to stamp out violent crime and saw her set up the organisation Mothers Against Violence, in Leeds.
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Kids are dying before us, but we shouldn’t be having to bury our children
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Over the past five years the 53-year-old has worked tirelessly to try to end the scourge of gun and knife crime in cities across the country.
She inspired youngsters with her boundless energy and gained respect throughout her community as the woman on a mission to make life better for everybody.
When she began campaigning she lit up schools with her passion for educating young people against criminal and violent activities.
*** NEWS: READ THE FULL STORY OF PAT'S TRAGIC DEATH ***
She regularly visited local children in their classrooms and discussed their fears over city street life and tutored them in the ways of avoiding violence.
Teachers and parents alike were struck by her solid determination to help others.
She became a high profile figure in the fight against crime and last year she was invited to be involved in the launch of a DVD warning against the dangers of violence and gang culture. Speaking at the event she made a poignant speech highlighting her own suffering.
“Things are reaching a critical point. Kids are dying before us, but we shouldn’t be having to bury our children,” she said.
Her forceful nature even saw her recruited by the then Prime Minister Tony Blair in a bid to spread a nationwide message against needless violence.
Shocked and saddened friends and neighbours are reeling from the death of one of their local shining lights – particularly as a 19 year old family member has been arrested in connection with death.
Mrs Regan admitted in the aftermath of her son’s death that his life of crime could have led to his untimely death. She said that her life had been a ‘living nightmare’.
It appeared that the only motivation she had to go on living her life was the possibility that her experiences and inspirational advice could be enough to save one young persons life.
