THE Knife Angel will be leaving Sunderland on Saturday following a closing ceremony on Friday 28th June. Its departure follows a month-long visit which was teamed up with awareness raising sessions dedicated to fighting knife crime across the Northumbria Police force area.
Its visit to Keel Square in Sunderland was the result of a successful bid by the Connor Brown Trust as part of their ongoing efforts to highlight serious violence and the dangers of carrying a knife.
More than 1,000 students have been educated through thought-provoking workshops delivered by the charity, as part of school visits to see the Angel.
Simon and Tanya from The Connor Brown Trust have been at the Angel every day since its arrival on the 31st May. They have been sharing their story to visitors, opening up about the loss of their son, Connor, due to knife crime, and the impact it has had on their family and others who have suffered such avoidable loss.
The idea to bring the Angel to Sunderland came after the couple saw the significant engagement achieved when the Angel took residency in Gateshead and Teesside.
The impressive 27-foot-tall statue is created from blades confiscated by the UK’s 43 police forces, including Northumbria Police. It is the work of artist and sculptor Alfie Bradley who was commissioned by the British Ironwork Centre as part of a series of impactful art pieces designed to address national issues.
The project has been supported by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria, Sunderland City Council and Northumbria Police.
Tanya Brown, from The Connor Brown Trust, said: “It’s been an incredible month, we have been through such a range of emotions, particularly now its time here is coming to an end. It’s meant so much to us, as a family, to have the Angel in our city in memory of Connor and the other victims lost because of knives. We’ve reached thousands of young people with the important message that knives impact everyone – victims, families, perpetrators, witnesses and the emergency services too and are grateful for all the support we have had to make all this happen. The Angel has been a powerful focal point to having such important conversations – conversations we all need to keep having – we have to get it through that there is no right time to carry a knife.”
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, said: “The Angel’s time here in the city might be coming to an end but the effort and determination to continue fighting knife crime continues. Seeing the region come together this month, supporting the anti-knife message has been incredible. I can’t thank Simon and Tanya enough for their hard work and dedication to not only bringing this to the city but tirelessly working to speak with young people and get the message across through sharing their awful experience.
“No family should have to suffer what they have, and others have, and that’s why we have to put so much effort into working with young people, families, and communities so we are all in the fight against knife crime together. If we work with young people, and support them, we can reduce crime and save lives.”
Peter McIntyre, Executive Director of City Development at Sunderland City Council, said: “Tanya and Simon’s bravery and determination to channel their grief into something positive after losing Connor has been nothing short of remarkable. I have no doubt that their powerful story will have had a lasting impact on all who have heard it while the Knife Angel has been here.
“The city’s ground-breaking SAIL project has worked closely with the Connor Brown Trust in the lead up to and during the Knife Angel’s stay. This has included fundraising with the aim of creating a legacy in Connor Brown’s name, by providing Emergency Bleed Kits in Sunderland city centre.
“The Knife Angel has touched the hearts of people across the region during its time in Sunderland. And while its stay has been brief, if it has made even one young person think twice about carrying a knife or the devastating consequences of knife crime then its visit will have been well worthwhile.”
The Knife Angel’s departure ceremony will take place at City Hall 6pm on Friday 28th June with candles being lit to remember loved ones at the Angel from 6.45pm. It will then depart the region the following day and bring to an end its stay in the North East.
More information about The Connor Brown Trust can be found here.
More information about the Angel and the British Ironwork Centre can be found here.
