Nottingham attacks victims to receive posthumous degrees

Nottingham attacks victims to receive posthumous degrees

In a solemn and heartfelt gesture, the University of Nottingham is set to award posthumous degrees to two students who tragically lost their lives in the Nottingham attacks in 2023. Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber, both 19, were victims of a heinous act of violence perpetrated by Valdo Calocane, which also claimed the life of 65-year-old Ian Coates on June 13.

The University of Nottingham has announced that Barnaby, a history student, will be honored at a graduation ceremony scheduled for late July, alongside Grace, who was pursuing a bachelor’s degree in medical science. In a poignant twist, Grace is also expected to be awarded a full posthumous medical degree in 2027, a testament to her dedication and potential in the field of medicine.

For Barnaby’s mother, Emma Webber, the pain of accepting the degree in person is too raw to bear. Instead, she has entrusted the task to friends and Barnaby’s godmother, who will receive the honor on behalf of the grieving family. Barnaby, a promising cricketer from Taunton, Somerset, was nearing the end of his first year at the university when he was tragically killed on his way home from a night out with Grace.

The devastating loss of Barnaby and Grace has sparked calls for justice and reforms in the treatment of victims and their families. Mrs. Webber has been vocal about her concerns regarding the Victims and Courts Bill currently under consideration in Parliament, highlighting the need for greater compassion and support for those affected by such senseless acts of violence. As the university prepares to confer posthumous degrees to honor the memory of Barnaby and Grace, the solemn occasion serves as a poignant reminder of the impact their lives had on those around them

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More