Gold figure of Nottingham knife victim Grace O’Malley-Kumar tops trophy at event raising cash in her memory
A GOLD figure of Nottingham knife attacks victim Grace O’Malley-Kumar sits atop a trophy at a tournament in her memory.
The England hockey starlet’s parents, Sinead and Sanjoy, watched six teams compete.
The event at Nottingham Hockey Centre raised at least £30,000 for foundations in memory of Grace, 19, and the two other victims.
Her mum Sinead told The Sun: “It has brought some of the most important people in Grace’s life together and it is very touching for our daughter to be remembered in such a lovely, sunny way.”
Her dad Dr Sanjoy, also speaking at the packed commemorative event at Nottingham Hockey Centre, added: “It is very sweet and bitter, in certain ways.”
He said of his England hockey star and Notts University student daughter: “Grace had the best year of her life here, she was delighted to be at the university studying medicine and played for the first team hockey.”
Grace also played for the country’s Hockey’s U16s and U18s teams.
She was killed in June last year as she desperately tried to save her close pal Barnaby Webber, also 19, as he was stabbed repeatedly in the street by Valdo Calocane.
The triple killer also took the life of 65-year-old school caretaker Ian Coates in the horror Nottingham blade attacks.
Grace’s parents have backed MPs’ calls for their daughter to be awarded the George Cross – saying it would ensure she is remembered forever.
Her mum said: “Grace is never coming back to us, but we never want her to be forgotten, and it would be lovely that she could be remembered for her bravery as opposed to the very sad fate she suffered.”