I'll take knife message into schools
Lorraine Tinney • Published 26 Mar 2010 14:00
A BEREAVED mum has found the strength to become active in Inverclyde's campaign to banish the blades.
Margo Hagen's teenage son Darren Pyper died after being knifed in Gourock more than two years ago.
Now, the brave mum has joined forces with another bereaved parent, Inverkip man John Muir, who has campaigned for changes to the law concerning knife-carriers since his son, Damian, was stabbed to death in Greenock in 2007.
Margo says she would like to visit local schools to help educate youngsters about the potentially-fatal consequences of knife-carrying.
Schoolboy Darren was only 14 and distraught mum Margo admits she has struggled to cope with the terrible loss.
The man accused of his murder, William Brown, 64, died in custody before he could face trial, which only added to Margo's despair.
A fatal accident inquiry held at Greenock Sheriff Court earlier this month brought the painful emotions flooding back.
Ms Hagen revealed she didn't even know the inquiry was being held until the Telegraph contacted her.
She said: "We didn't know when the inquiry was coming up. We didn't know anything about it and obviously it was quite a shock. That family got answers but we got nothing.
"It's the families of the victims who suffer - and it's a lifetime of suffering. It also affects his wee brother and his grandparents.
"We've been left with no peace of mind. My son went down to his friend's for his tea and didn't come back.
"A man went to that family's door with a knife. He chose to do that but it wasn't my son's choice to be where he is today."
But she now feels she wants to channel her anger in a positive way by visiting schools to warn youngsters of the deadly consequences of carrying a knife. She said: "At first I didn't want to go into schools because I didn't want to class everybody the same. It's not just kids who are carrying a knife.
"Very few people in their teenage years carry knives.
"I've been in touch with Darren's friends and other young people and 99.9 per cent of those kids are absolutely wonderful children. But I want to go into the schools as I feel I can talk to the kids now.
"Darren's friends have left school now, but there's a new generation who should hear about the dangers from a family's point of view to show how devastating it can be. I've a younger son growing up as well."
Mr Muir, who, backed by the Tele, has been lobbying the Scottish Parliament for mandatory sentencing for knife-carriers, has welcomed Margo's support.
He said: "If people are prepared to talk about their experiences then youngsters will be listening to someone who has actually been through the trauma of the whole thing.
"If Margo is now considering doing this, I think that is great."
This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 26 Mar 10
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