The Hollie Gazzard Trust staff and volunteers were out in force at The Knife Angel at Gloucester Cathedral on Friday 17th and Saturday 18th February 2023. The team was on-hand to meet new people, sell merchandise, talk about Hollie Guard and spread the word of the good work of the charity. Local residents and businesses support the cause even further by dressing themselves and their shops in purple to help raise awareness of domestic abuse and knife crime.
Saturday was also a very significant date in the Trust diary, as the 18th February 2023 is exactly 9 years to the day since Hollie lost her life. Hollie suffered months of obsessive behaviour, jealousy, and harassment before falling victim to knife crime. The charity is set up with a goal to prevent other victims and families having to go through what Hollie and her family had to go through.
Nick Gazzard, Hollie’s father and Founder and CEO of the Hollie Gazzard Trust said: ”We’d like to thank the amazing people and businesses of Gloucester for being so supportive. This time of year is always difficult for me and my family, so having everyone’s support means a lot. The Knife Angel is a stark reminder of the huge number of young people who still carry a knife. Our message will be to think twice, not only could you harm yourself or others, but you will most likely face prison. Knife crime has taken so many young people too soon and it causes a ripple effect. It’s just not worth it.”
The Knife Angel is made from over 100,000 bladed articles seized by police across the UK, and weighs 3.5 tonnes, has been created to remember those lost to knife crime. Both days were dedicated to raising awareness of Violence Against Women and Girls, and is backed up by a month-long series of events, workshops and other activities across the city involving a range of organisations and people of all ages and backgrounds.
Many people gathered at Gloucester Cathedral at 6:51pm for a phone light vigil to remember Hollie and the many others who have fallen victim to knife crime in the city over recent years. Nick Gazzard and Bishop Rachel, the Bishop of Gloucester, said a few words to mark the occasion. You can see the Facebook Live video and other posts by visiting our FACEBOOK PAGE HERE.
Rest in peace, Hollie.
9 years, but never forgotten.
