Beccan's memory lives on in city

By Jamie Thompson
BBC News, Nottingham

The friends of Danielle Beccan have made a tribute CD

Youngsters in Nottingham are being given hope for the future thanks to a fund set up in memory of Danielle Beccan.

Within weeks of the shooting, a memorial trust was set up in her memory.

Money from it is set to give children like Danielle, described as "vibrant and lively" by her mother, the chance to get a head start in life.

The trust was set up in response to donations that began to pour in after she died.

Danielle attended several youth projects in the St Ann's area - where she lived and died.

I would like to think her death has not been in vain Paula Platt

The trust's long-term goal is to create a centre for performing arts and to allow youngsters to express themselves and get away from street culture.

Danielle's mother, Paula Platt, said: "I don't believe you can go through anything as traumatic as this and nothing good come out of it.

"The way Danielle was, the way she lived her life, she was lively and vibrant.

"I would like to think her death has not been in vain.

"We set up Danielle's Memorial Trust and want that to help young people, not just in the St Ann's area, but all over Nottingham."

The shooting of Danielle Beccan shocked Nottingham

Among the fundraising efforts for the trust, a group of Danielle's friends put together a tribute CD.

Their track "Danielle" was recorded in the Community Recording Studio in St Ann's.

And it is activities like this that Mrs Platt wants the planned centre to offer.

"We want something more than what they have already got," she said.

"I appreciate there are a lot of youth groups and clubs all across the city and they do fantastic work.

"But I don't believe enough is being done, because obviously children are still out on the streets and are still being violent towards each other.

"It's got to stop somewhere.

'Make a difference'

"I'm not saying that I can save the day but I want to do my bit.

"We want to set up a centre where children can come and express themselves through performing arts, where there's the opportunity for personal development and mentoring, things like that.

"This is not about Danielle's name going down in history or Danielle being remembered because she will be remembered anyway by those who love her.

"This is about trying to make a difference for the children that are left."