You could have heard a pin drop

Nikki Walford, PA to Barry and Margaret, talks about her trip to a school in Liverpool.

• How do you keep your emotions hidden?
• Have you visited Jake in prison?
• Have you ever met anyone else who has had the same loss?

These were just some of the questions the children at Archbishop Beck Catholic College asked Margaret during our recent visit to Liverpool. You could have heard a pin drop in the hall. Every student sat completely still, in what was a surprisingly similar uniform to Jimmy’s, a maroon blazer with a striped tie.

The young people were clearly moved when Margaret showed them the DVD of Jimmy through his life, making what happened that day all the more real. Once the talk was over, RE teacher, David Postlethwaite, said they will light a candle for Jimmy during the school’s next trip to Lourdes, and accept Margaret’s challenge to work for peace.

“It was very moving and very powerful, I wouldn’t want to be in that position,” Charlotte, Year 11.

“I didn’t think it would be so personal,” Leah, Year 8.

Thanks to Peter Bensen, David Postlethwaite, Nick Davidson and everyone at Archbishop Beck for a fantastic visit.