Balloons mark what would have been murdered toddler’s 18th

EIGHTEEN red balloons were released yesterday and a birthday cake placed on the grave of murdered toddler James Bulger to mark what would have been his 18th birthday.

James’s mother Denise Fergus took part in the private ceremony at Kirkdale Cemetery in Liverpool alongside family and friends of the child.

James was murdered by 10-year-olds Jon Venables and Robert Thompson on February 13, 1993, in a crime that stunned the world. He was abducted from a shopping centre and killed on a railway line.

Speaking about James’s birthday earlier, James’s mother said: “It’s going to be hard, but I’m still going to give him the birthday he so much deserves. My family and very close friends are going to the cemetery, and I do want the kids to set off 18 red balloons because I think it’s so important for James to celebrate his 18th birthday wherever he is.

“I’m going to put the cake down on his grave for him.”

She said she would involve her three children Michael, 14, Thomas, nine, and Leon, eight, in the event.

Fergus, who lives in Kirkby, Liverpool, said: “They do understand what’s going on. They don’t understand the full details of what happened to him, but they have had to grow up with James’s murder.”

The 38-year-old also said James’s killers had taken her “whole world” away from her.

“I don’t think they should have been able to celebrate their 18th birthdays and should not be allowed to be walking around freely.

“I’m not saying lock them up indefinitely, but 10 to 15 years. At least then we would have seen a bit of justice for James.”

On Friday, Fergus helped to launch the James Bulger House Appeal which aims to raise £1m (€1.3m) to fund the Red Balloon Learner Centre, which provides an educational refuge for bullied children.