CAMPAIGNERS are calling for support to help them raise awareness of the damage violent crime causes to people and communities ahead of the Knife Angel sculpture's visit to Hereford.

Standing 27 feet high and weighing 3.5 tons, the Knife Angel, which took over two years to create from over 100,000 knives received from 43 police forces across the UK, will be hosted by Hereford Cathedral for 28 days in June.

The team responsible for bringing the Knife Angel to Hereford is headed by Alison Davies, who lost her son, Mark, to knife crime in 2018, and Meryl Cain.

Together with a small group of friends, they are aiming to offer a wide range of events when the Knife Angel comes to Hereford to highlight the impact of violence and knife crime.

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The events the team is hoping to put on include free public workshops and interactive events, a national conference to engage with professionals in related spheres, a dedicated youth conference, identifying young people’s needs and issues which they feel have a negative impact on them and their community, a weapons amnesty, approved by West Mercia Police, and an opening ceremony and closing vigil.

But the scale of events will depend on how much support can be garnered from communities in Herefordshire and beyond, and the team needs sponsors and volunteers to come forward to help however they can, through offering pro-bono or reduced rate services such as security, insurance, and road haulage, or helping with visitors, workshops, and events.

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Alison Davies said: “I wanted to raise awareness of the catastrophic impact violent crime has and to encourage discussion among all elements of our community, from our young people to the general public, to the authorities who have to manage the consequences and provide support of different kinds to both victims and perpetrators.

“For me personally it helps to have something positive to focus on following the senseless death of my son Mark.

“I do hope that Herefordshire businesses and individuals will step forward to support the angel’s visit to Herefordshire in any way they can in order to raise awareness of the devastating impact violence has on all our lives.”

All those who are interested in getting involved in any capacity should email: knifeangelhereford@gmail.com. Alternatively, anyone wishing to make a donation can do so via the Hereford Knife Angel’s Just Giving Page.