Liverpool charity's ambitious park plan for James McVey

by Amy Blacklock. Published Thu 02 Feb 2012 14:41, Last updated: 2012-02-03
Fun loving James McVey
Fun loving James McVey

A father has spoken of his determination to create a lasting legacy for a teenager who was killed outside a Liverpool social club.

Reds fan James McVey, 18, died after he tried to act as a peacemaker when trouble flared after a birthday party at Dunny's in Walton.

As he left the club with his girlfriend James acted as a peacemaker in the early hours of 9th October 2010.

It was then that he was attacked and died later from his injuries at University Hospital Aintree.

His father, electrician Jamie McVey, 39, formed "Fazakerley 9" as a memorial to his son and so-far the charity has raised #15,000 with a series of events.

Fazakerley 9 is named after the the area where James was born and raised and the number 9 soccer shirt he wore.

The charity's main aim is to regenerate Hawksmoor Park - a desolate area of public open space which Jamie wants to see transformed to become an asset for for the community.

Jamie has held a series of meetings with councillors, won the backing of his MP, and won enlisted the support of boxing star Nick Quigley for the project.

Working with town hall officials he aims to draw-up detailed plans for transforming the park, to include children's play areas, benches and lighting.

Jamie and his wife Tracy, 40 live with their son, Connor, 13, near the park which is off Lower Lane.

Jamie said: "My aim for the charity is just to make the community a better place.

"If we can create respect in this community, we can carry it into others, too.

"Obviously, my main aim at present is to make Hawksmoor Park a better place in Fazakerley.

"You’ve got to be seen as putting something back, if you don’t have respect for where you’re from, then you have nothing."

A series of events, including a sponsored parachute jump, Santa dashes, a marathon and a concert have, to date, raised £15,000 and further fund-raising is planned.

Boxer Nick Quigley sporting the charity t-shirt at a recent boxing match. He is also hoping to work closely with Liverpool Football Club and the Mersey Tigers basketball team.

Jamie said: "We have a lot of events coming up, including a half marathon, a 10k run and a triathlon.

"Our next event is The Three Peaks Challenge in June, which involves climbing Ben Nevis, Scaffel Pike and Snowdon in 24 hours.

"We've got around twenty people on board so far and we're keen to recruit more.

"We've also got plans for a concert in September. Sixteen hundred people attended the last one we held and raised £9,000.

"It was a huge success and we want to make it an annual fixture for the charity."

Jamie told how he has struggled to come to terms with the loss of his beloved son James.

He added: "People were telling me James was taken for a reason, but I will never know that reason.

"For now all I can do is try to make something good come of James’ life and put all my passion into it.

"I've already had people knocking at the door donating money and saying how great they think it is.

"In fifty or sixty years I want people to be able to enjoy the things that will be created in Fazakerley, and know it was because of James, It will be his legacy."

Jamie also expressed his thanks to thos who have supported Fazakerley 9, including Walton MP Steve Rotheram, local councillors, Nick Quigley and the Invictus Gym.

Labour Cllr Dave Hanratty said: "I'm fully supportive of the charity and I think it's a fantastic idea to renovate Hawksmor Park.

"There are some obstacles to overcome in getting detailed plans drawn-up and fully approved, as well as making sure all the residents are on board.

"But we are hoping there won’t be any real problems."

For any further information on the charity or to get involved please email: info@fazakerley9.co.uk or visit www.fazakerley9.co.uk

* In March 2011 Kiaran Jameson pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was jailed for three years for killing James Mc Vey.





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