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Vigil in Hammersmith for Climbié's memory

Local MP joins efforts to build school in her home town.

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A candlelight vigil marking the fourth anniversary of Victoria Climbié death was held on the 25th February at Hammersmith & West London College, in Barons Court, which included a choir performance and speech by local Labour MP Iain Coleman.

The eight-years girl died in February 2000 with 128 injuries on her body. She was killed by her aunt and her aunt's boyfriend after she was sent to the UK for a better life.

During the ceremony, the Hammersmith and Fulham MP has proposed a House of Commons motion supporting the Climbié's campaign to build the school in memory of Victoria in her home town Abobo, in the Ivory Coast.

The Victoria Climbié Charitable Trust, launched by Victoria's family in October, needs to raise approximately £150,000 to build and run the school for 5 years. A third of the money needed for the school has been now been secured.

The nearest school to Abobo that does not charge pupils is currently more than a half-day's drive away. The new school will be called Centre D education Primaire Victoria Adjo Climbié and it will cater for 50 children between the ages of 6 and 12. It is hoped that Victoria's sister Joelle, currently 5 years old, will attend the school.

In their message to the vigil, parents Francis and Berthe Climbié said: "Building a school in Victoria's name, in her birthplace of Abobo, will not reduce the pain our family is going through. But it will ensure that Victoria did not die in vain. It will remember her as a person, not as a case or a name. It will demonstrate that every child matters not just in the United Kingdom but in the Ivory Coast and around the world".

Hammersmith & West London College has adopted the Trust as this year's official charity and will be marking the anniversary with readings and a choral performance.

The Victoria Climbie Charitable Trust