Brianna Ghey: Teen's legacy lives on in Warrington

Brianna, a 16-year-old schoolgirl from Birchwood, was stabbed to death in Culcheth on February 11 this year.

A four-week trial concluded on Wednesday, December 20, with the jury finding two teenage defendants - a boy from Leigh and a girl from Warrington - guilty of Brianna's murder.

Amid the ongoing coverage of the court case of the two teenagers tried for Brianna's murder, it is important that we do not lose sight of the humanity within this case.

Brianna's loss was a tragic one, and it shook Warrington to the core; it has been the most significant event in the town in the last year.

Warrington has shown strength and solidarity with Brianna's family, and the legacy of Brianna will shine brightly in our town.

Brianna's death has had a number of impacts on our town.

Floral tributes

Masses of flowers were left outside Culcheth Linear Park in memory of Brianna (Image: Warrington Guardian)

In the immediate aftermath of Brianna's murder, hundreds of floral tributes were placed outside Culcheth Linear Park, where the Birchwood High School pupil was found dead in February.

One of the messages left at the scene by a mourner read: "Thinking of all family and friends.

"Brianna, you deserved so much better.

"Rest in power, beautiful."

Another tribute was left by local district nurses, which said: "Rest in power, Brianna."

One of the bouquets laid at the site read: "Sweet angel, you did not deserve this.

"Rest in power."

Vigils

Candlelit vigils took place in Warrington's Old Marketplace and on Culcheth Village Green (Image: Newsquest)

A number of candlelit vigils were held across the country in memory of Brianna, who was also a member of the trans community.

One was held on Culcheth Village Green on the Friday after Brianna's death, with hundreds of mourners turning up in the cold to pay their respects to the teenager.

Speeches were made by members of the community, including then-Mayor of Warrington Cllr Jean Flaherty.

In attendance at the Culcheth vigil was Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, who told the Warrington Guardian that he was there 'to show love and support.'

He said: "[I'm here] to remember Brianna, and to show love and support to her family.

"Also, I'm conscious of the effect this has had on younger people across the north west - and in particular, trans young people"

A vigil was held in Warrington town centre on Saturday, February 18, one week after Brianna was killed.

Moving scenes from the town centre vigil included all attendees lighting up their mobile phones in a show of solidarity with Brianna's family, and to pay their respects to the teenager.

Fundraising

A fundraiser set up in the wake of Brianna's death raised over £114,000 (Image: Supplied)

In the days following Brianna's death, a fundraising page was established to help Brianna's family.

The fundraiser was officially closed in September, but it had successfully raised more than £114,000 for Brianna's family.

Donations were made from around the world, with many donors leaving heartfelt messages of condolence or support on the fundraising page.

One message read: "I have been really shocked by Brianna's death, by all accounts she was a kind, brave, sparky and intelligent young woman.

"Exactly the sort of person our blighted world needs more of.

"As a mother, I send my love to Brianna's parents and wider family.

"Know that your daughter is loved and missed, I am so sorry for your loss."

Sporting life

Danny Walker paid tribute to Brianna during Warrington Wolves' opening match of the last season (Image: Warrington Wolves)

Warrington Wolves showed the rugby club's support for Brianna's family following her death in February.

Players wore black armbands during the opening match of the last season against Leeds Rhinos, and the Wire's number 16, Danny Walker, wore a special warm-up kit with Brianna's name on.

Walker is also the Warrington Wolves Charitable Foundation's anti-knife crime ambassador.

Warrington Town FC held a minute's silence ahead of their match against Guiseley, with the footballers also wearing black armbands.

Pink

Mourners attending the funeral wore pink, Brianna's favourite colour (Image: Newsquest)

Brianna's funeral was held at St Elphin's, on Church Street in Warrington, and hundreds of mourners attended to pay their respects.

Ahead of the funeral, Brianna's family requested that attendees wear pink, which was Brianna's favourite colour.

As requested, mourners wore pink, with hundreds of people attending the funeral in bright colours in memory of the teenager.

The hearse bringing Brianna's coffin to the service was bright white, and driven by horses; Brianna's coffin was a bright pink colour, too.

Peace in Mind campaign

The Peace in Mind campaign is being spearheaded by Esther Ghey and the Warrington Guardian (Image: Newsquest)

Perhaps the most significant aspect of Brianna's legacy is the Peace in Mind campaign.

Established by the Warrington Guardian alongside Brianna's mother, Esther, the Peace in Mind campaign aims to improve the mental wellbeing of children in schools, as well as provide more support for pupils.

Money raised by the campaign will be used to send school staff on training courses organised by the Mindfulness in Schools Project (MiSP).

It is hoped that this will promote practices in schools that will benefit the mental wellbeing of pupils.

The training courses will be aimed at schools in Warrington, with a desire for similar schemes to be rolled out across the country.

At the time of writing, the campaign has already raised more than £30,200.

When launching the campaign with the Warrington Guardian, Esther Ghey said: "When Tom suggested a joint campaign with myself and the Guardian, I jumped at the opportunity.

"I knew that I wanted to do something but I felt I didn't have the knowledge or the resources to start something on my own.

"To be working alongside the Warrington Guardian with the aim of making a positive change for people in my hometown is something very special to me.

"Tom is a very genuine person and has been working hard to pull things together. I think we make a great team."

The campaign has since received the backing of Warrington Wolves, Warrington Borough Council, the Warrington Wolves Charitable Foundation, State of Mind, Treasure Your Wellbeing, Andy Carter MP, and Charlotte Nichols MP.

A number of local businesses have backed the campaign, too, and celebrities including Boy George have pledged their support for Peace in Mind as well.

For more information about the Peace in Mind campaign, or to donate, use this link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/briannagheymemorial