Shropshire murder victim's parents raising funds for charity

A Shropshire couple whose son was murdered a decade ago are raising funds to help a national support charity.

Russell and Avril Sanders Royle say they are incensed the Government has withdrawn its £140,000 funding for Samm – Support for Murder and Manslaughter – which provides help for relatives and friends.

And they are now helping to raise cash and support for the charity.

The couple will hold a strawberry tea and promises auction for the charity at their home at Rock House, Brownhill in Ruyton-XI-Towns, on Sunday from 2.30pm to 6pm.

Their 21-year-old son Julian was murdered by Maurice Latus, of Wroxeter near Shrewsbury, in 2000.

Latus was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.

He also admitted the manslaughter of Colin Foulkes and the attempted murder of his own mother.

For the past decade Mrs Sanders Royle has been a trustee of Samm, which was supported by the Government until the end of March.

"The funding covered the cost of salaries, office running costs, members' newsletters and a website," she said.

"People who have been bereaved in this way often feel very isolated, with no-one they know quite understanding the issues involved."

As well as supporting families and friends Samm has also worked to help overturn the double jeopardy law whereby an acquitted person previously could not be retried and was also involved in ensuring relatives could make a victim impact statement to courts.

It has a helpline 0845 8723440 and a website at www.samm.org.uk

Mrs Sanders Royle said: "I am incensed that while it costs more than £120,000 a year to keep someone in prison, the Government cannot find some money to support Samm and its 3,000 members.

"We are holding the strawberry tea to help in a small way to keep the charity afloat."

She said as well as a traditional bring and buy stall there would be a promise auction at 4pm with items including a short break in a cottage in Wales and services such as gardening, dog walking, a Spanish or French lesson, computer problem solving, advice on spreadsheet use, car washing, household maintenance and cleaning.

She said: "All are welcome to come, bid for really great items in the auction, see the garden and relax for a couple of hours on a summer Sunday afternoon."

By Sue Austin