Memorial unveiled for Ryan

Last weekend, Robert Walter MP (North Dorset) joined local justice campaigner, Cathy Franklin, in unveiling a memorial bench at the Woodhouse Gardens in Blandford in memory of her murdered son Ryan.

They were joined by Cathy’s young son Ben and the Mayor of Blandford, Cllr Lynn Lindsay, in cutting the ribbon on the memorial bench, which will offer a permanent reminder of Ryan’s life and tragic loss in the town where he was born.

Bob has campaigned with Cathy since Ryan’s death in 2002 for a change in coroner law that would have prevented Cathy’s agony at being unable to bury her baby son Ryan for 18 months whilst waiting for his killer – Ryan’s father Lee Khair– to go on trial.

They have together petitioned parliament and repeatedly called on Government to implement changes that would see any waiting time for victims’ families reduced to a maximum of 30 days, in all but the most exceptional circumstances. To their delight the Coroners and Justice Bill, which includes this amendment, finally made it into this year’s legislative programme. The Report stage - a three-day debate on the Bill to be held in the House of Lords - gives the opportunity for a further line by line examination of the Bill and is scheduled for 21, 26 and 28 October.

As a spokeswoman for national charity Mothers Against Murders and Aggression (MAMAA), Cathy Franklin is also organising a funding raising ball at the Carrington Hotel in Bournemouth on Saturday 8 May 2010. All money raised will go to MAMAA and an auction will take place hosted by TV presenter Jeremy Kyle. Those keen to support Cathy should go to www.ukcharityballs.co.uk and click on MAMAA Spring Ball.