Denise Fergus receives national award for charity

A Kirkby woman who found the courage and strength to set up a charity to help others in memory of her murdered son has been recognised with a national honour.

Denise Fergus, has been given a British Citizen Award for her services to the community.

The British Citizen Awards (BCAs) were launched in January last year, to recognise exceptional individuals who work tirelessly and selflessly to make a positive impact on society. BCAs are awarded twice annually, and recognise ‘everyday’ people whose achievements may otherwise by overlooked.

In February 1993, Denise lost her son, James Bulger, at the tender age of just two in a heinous murder that shocked the world.

Denise not only had to come to terms with the tragic loss of James, but she also had to endure one of the most high profile court cases that Britain has ever seen that attracted press attention from around the world.

In the years that followed, Denise has battled hard to fight for justice for her little boy and to bring about changes in the criminal justice system to help other victims of crime.

The case against James’ killers helped change the way the law looks at and treats victims, and it was this experience that made Denise want to help other families who had gone through similar situations.

After everything that her family had gone through, Denise also decided she wanted people to think about James in a positive way, instead of just remembering him for what happened on that fateful day.

Somehow finding the strength to turn a negative into a positive, and with the help of her husband, Stuart, Denise set up the James Bulger Memorial Trust, For James, in 2010. It was officially launched in 2011 – the year James would have celebrated his 21st birthday.

The charity offers support to children and their families who have suffered a bereavement, been a victim of race or hate crime or bullying, and those who have done a good deed within their school or community.

To date, For James has helped more than 700 people from 125 families with free holidays and respite breaks. It has also organised a free community funday in Stanley Park, Liverpool, for the last two years.

KidsFest, which has been attended by 14,000 people over the past two years, not only allows families to have a low cost day out, but also brings members of the community together that might not otherwise mix.

Denise is one of 29 medallists who will be honoured at a prestigious ceremony in January, at the Palace of Westminster. All BCA recipients have positively impact society undertaking various activities in support of a number of causes. Each will receive a Medal of Honour, inscribed with the words ‘For the Good of the Country’. Medallists are also invited to use the initials BCA after their name.

Denise said the award was totally unexpected.

“Stuart didn’t tell me that he had put me forward for the award so it was a complete surprise. I feel totally honoured and overwhelmed by it, it’s really not something I expected,” she said.

“I started the charity because it just felt the right time to do it and I didn’t want James to be remembered as the child that was murdered.

“I’m always setting myself targets and we initially had a five year plan for the charity which would allow families in need to take a holiday. We achieved what we set out to do within the first six months, it was really amazing.”

Denise, who has three sons aged 23, 18 and 17, said the charity had become a real family project.

“The charity has been a lot of hard work at times, but I have got a great deal of satisfaction from being able to help children and their families, I absolutely love it. My three lads are all involved too now they are old enough. I always make sure they are happy with everything before we do something and like to involve them.”

Speaking about her fight for justice for James, Denise said: “It’s been a real rollercoaster ride but I vowed to do anything to find justice. I’m James’ voice now, the only voice he has.

“When I said I would take on the fight, I was told that it would be one long, hard battle. I said that he’s my son and I vowed I would do anything that there was to be done. I’ve done the best I could have done to get justice.

“I’ve love to say a massive thanks to all the people who have helped the charity over the years. Without their support and donations, we couldn’t have done any of it.”

Denise was nominated for a BCA by her husband, Stuart Fergus, who said: “Over the years I have been by her side and have seen everything that she has been through and overcome. It’s nice for her to receive recognition for doing something in James’ memory after all the hard work she has put in.

“She also deserves the award for her bravery in fighting for justice, not only for her son, but also for other people.”

For James is currently fundraising to purchase a new accessible holiday lodge to ensure that families with children and adults in wheelchairs can also benefit from its help.

It is currently halfway towards its £200,000 goal.

For more information or to donate to the appeal, visit www.forjames.org