A CHURCH leader involved in a campaign to honour Southampton schoolgirl Lucy McHugh has told how her murder has brought the community together.

The Rev Sean Blackman said new bonds had been forged in the wake of Lucy’s death, which had helped break down barriers and create a sense of unity.

He also revealed her family were confident her killer would be brought to justice.

 

Mr Blackman, who led Lucy’s funeral and is supporting her relatives, was speaking at I Love Lucy Day, held to celebrate the life of the 13-year-old.

It was staged at the Mansel Park pavilion, a few yards from her home in Mansel Road East. Millbrook.

The proceeds will go towards the cost of creating a memorial garden at Redbridge Community School, where Lucy was a pupil.

Mr Blackman said: “What happened was a terrible tragedy but it has brought the community together - some good has come out of evil.

“The events of three months ago have broken down barriers - people are talking to people they didn’t talk to before.”

I Love Lucy Day featured a raft of stalls selling or raffling items donated by the community, including shops and businesses.

 

The event also included stone-painting and a bouncy castle as well as the chance to tuck into ice cream, candy floss, hot dogs and popcorn.

Two police community support officers were among those who attended the event.

Lucy’s mother, Stacey White, helped out on one of the stalls and her parents, Darren and Dawn White, served cakes and hot drinks.

As families arrived for the event Stacey told them: “Thank you all for coming to support Lucy today.

“It’s all about having fun and doing the fun things Lucy loved to do.”

Mr Blackman, based at Brockhurst Baptist Church in Gosport, added: “Stacey is finding ways in which she can use her gifts, abilities and energies to honour Lucy.

“She has been very encouraged by the response from people including shops and businesses, both locally and further afield.”

Asked about the police investigation he added: “She’s very confident the person responsible will be brought to justice.”

 

Stacey is bracing herself for Wednesday, which would have been Lucy’s 14th birthday.

Police launched a huge investigation after she was found stabbed to death at Southampton Sports Centre on July 26. Despite extensive searches the murder weapon has not been found.

Anyone with information should call police on 101.