'Support for grief centre is a bittersweet honour'

Emma and Charlie Webber - pictured with Barnaby Webber (left) - will speak at the opening of the new Grief Wellbeing Centre on Friday

The mother and brother of Nottingham attacks victim Barnaby Webber are due to speak of their grief at the opening of a new bereavement support centre.

Emma Webber and Charlie Webber are expected to open up about their loss after Mr Webber, 19, was stabbed to death on 13 June 2023 - alongside Grace O'Malley-Kumar and Ian Coates.

The pair will attend the new Grief Wellbeing Centre in Grantham, Lincolnshire - run by the National Grief Advice Service charity - on Friday.

Mrs Webber said it was a "bittersweet honour" to be asked to support such a "crucial" charity.

Ian Coates, Mr Webber and Grace O'Malley Kumar were stabbed to death by Valdo Calocane

Mr Webber, a history student from Taunton in Somerset - as well as a talented cricketer - was coming to the end of his first year at the University of Nottingham when he was killed on his way home from a night out.

He had been walking home with Ms O'Malley-Kumar when Valdo Calocane stabbed them to death, before going on to kill Mr Coates and then using his van to drive into three pedestrians - all of whom were seriously injured - in Nottingham city centre.

Calocane, who was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, was sentenced to a hospital order in January 2024 after admitting manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. He also pleaded guilty to three counts of attempted murder.

On Wednesday, a judge-led public inquiry into the killings was announced by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, following extensive calls and pleas from the victims' families.

Speaking to the BBC about the new centre, Mrs Webber said: "We are acutely aware of just how devastating grief can be. It has many faces.

"[We] are only at the early stages of the path, but if by sharing our stories and opening the conversation up to help others, then it is something we willingly do."

While she said supporting the bereavement charity was bittersweet, she added their paths might never have crossed "had this terrible tragedy not happened".

The new facility will offer one-to-one counselling, support groups and other resources for people experiencing loss.

The families of the victims attended a meeting at Downing Street this week, when a public inquiry was confirmed

Mrs Webber added: "Loss, loneliness, sadness and in our case, anger, are powerful emotions and often overwhelming.

"Having a 'hand on the shoulder' and a gentle, sometimes practical, guide in navigating the way - it is so important."

The Webbers are expected to be joined at the opening by Gemma Lowery, from County Durham, whose son Bradley died aged six in 2017 from a rare type of cancer.

The National Grief Advice Service said the centre would be a "lifeline for the community".

Bradley Lowery was a huge Sunderland fan, and became a mascot for the club after striking up a friendship with former forward Jermain Defoe