CTindex - Christian Today UK Interactive Catalogue
Society

Church group pays tribute to anti-guns campaigner Pat Regan

by Anne Thomas
Posted: Saturday, June 21, 2008, 8:12 (BST)
Font Scale:A A A

The founders of Christian community charity Bringing Hope have paid tribute to Pat Regan, a mother who became a prominent anti-guns and knives campaigner after she lost her son in an underworld-style shooting in 2002.

Ms Regan was found stabbed to death in her flat in Leeds on 2 June. Her 20-year-old grandson, Rakeim Regan, has been charged with her murder.

Bringing Hope was just one of the many anti-gun charities that Pat Regan worked with. Others included Mothers Against Violence Manchester, Redcar, Families for Peace, Don't Trigger and MAMA (Mothers Against Murder and Aggression).

In a joint statement, together with Bringing Hope, they paid tribute to the campaigner.

"As coordinator for Mothers Against Violence (MAV) in Yorkshire Pat tirelessly channelled her own grief to effect change, challenge policies and to divert children and young people from lifestyles glorifying knife and gun crime. We will miss her terribly, our condolences go out to her family," they wrote.

Speaking after her funeral on Friday, Bringing Hope co-founder, the Rev Robin Thompson said, "Pat was very genuine, dedicated to her work. She didn't try to pretty things up, whether she was talking to the prime minister or a mother in pain. What always came across was that she was a thoroughly loving mum."

The Rev Carver Anderson, also of Bringing Hope, said: "Pat left a lot of us mourning but a huge legacy will come from her life. Things are already happening and they will carry on.

"She was a catalyst for reformation and change. People's lives were changed through her life and they are changed in her death.

"She epitomised transformation and we have seen with our eyes that that transforming work in carrying on."

It was evident to all that she was passionate to make sure other mothers didn't experience what she had gone through.

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, also paid tribute to Regan.

"Pat was motivated by her deep love for her lost son and by a vibrant faith with love at its heart. Her loss is a tragedy to a community who have been robbed of a passionate voice against violence and to a wider society that is still not doing enough to embrace those values for which Pat campaigned," he said.

"In her efforts to educate and transform the lives of young people at risk from violence Pat has left a legacy that will be lived out in the lives of the people of Leeds and beyond."



Copyright © 2008 Christian Today. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Have your say on this article
The comments below are readers' personal opinions and are in no way intended to reflect the editorial opinion of Christian Today.

Added: Saturday, June 21, 2008, 23:10 (BST)

As a woman who knew and worked with Pat (prior to moving from Leeds to London.She had mantle to carry, now the mantle needs to be "picked up" and this powerful cause NEEDS to continue. Let's not wait for another parents' child to be killed before the batton is passed on .....

Pat had what many of us have .... PASSION TO SEE AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE.......

sheron Robinson, North London.

Christian Today Twitter
Google Advertisement
Externally generated - Report offensive links here
Universal Beneficent Society
World Headline
Christians forced to leave relief camps, group says

Christians forced to leave relief camps, group says

Victims of anti-Christian violence in Orissa's Kandhamal district are being forced to return to their villages by the...
Sponsored Features
Give a disadvantaged young person a brighter future this Christmas. Order books for all ages commending the free and sovereign grace of Almighty God.
01582 765448 For holidays and retreats in the Scottish borders. Whitchester Christian Guest House 01450 377 477 Friendly printing company for churches, charities and businesses nationwide!
Sanct Maria Abbey, NUNRAW
Cistercian Monastery and Guest House
Bookings: 01620 830 228
Email: nunraw.abbot@yahoo.co.uk
Google Advertisement
Externally generated - Report offensive links here

Christmas Gift Box

more gifts >