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New tree to remember tragic Caroline
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| Marjorie Marks-Stuttle with the new tree at Coppergate, York |
A BLOSSOMING tree has been replaced to help treasure the memory of murdered York backpacker Caroline Stuttle after it was targeted by vandals.
A simple, low-key planting ceremony was held yesterday, attended by Marjorie Marks-Stuttle who was keen to see the new flowering pear tree in place before the anniversary of her daughter's death.
It is six years since Caroline, 19, from Huntington Road, was robbed and thrown from a 30ft bridge in Bundaberg, Australia, when she was on a gap year tour with her best friend Sarah Holiday.
Heroin addict Ian Previte was sentenced to life in prison for her murder.
Vandals snapped off the original tree, which is behind a memorial stone beside the Coppergate Centre in York, in November 2007.
"We wanted the tree up because it blossoms at the time of year when Caroline died," said Mrs Marks-Stuttle.
"We have tried to get a more mature flowering pear than before so hopefully people will leave it alone.
"I have to live with someone destroying Caroline's life. All these kind things people have done for us help her memory to live on.
"It was very upsetting to see that someone destroyed the tree for no reason, just to vandalise something.
"The tree was just left lying there. It wasn't as if they dug it up to take away."
The new tree was donated by Dean's Garden Centre in York.
Another commemorative tree has also been planted at the botanical gardens in Bundaberg, which Mrs Marks-Stuttle will visit during an emotional trip to Australia for the anniversary of Caroline's death.
It will be the first time she has travelled to the country where her daughter died.
"We are going to take some flowers to the tree and go to the bridge where she lost her life," said Mrs Marks-Stuttle, who will also meet the town's mayor.
About £150,000 has been raised so far by Caroline's Rainbow Foundation, the charity set up to give safety advice to students going on gap year travels to prevent similar tragedies.
"It is thanks to people's support that we have raised the funds so that we can continue our educational programme and talks in schools," said Mrs Marks-Stuttle.
8:43am Friday 28th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: bjc, York on 7:01pm Thu 27 Mar 08
That's an extremely harsh comment.. and totally unwarranted.
This lady has formed a Foundation that gives information and assistance to young people travelling abroad. Thousands of backpackers have access to help if they find themselves in trouble. She has tried to do something positive in her daughter's memory despite losing her precious child to a murderer.
May I respectfully suggest you think before making such crass remarks.
That's an extremely harsh comment.. and totally unwarranted.
This lady has formed a Foundation that gives information and assistance to young people travelling abroad. Thousands of backpackers have access to help if they find themselves in trouble. She has tried to do something positive in her daughter's memory despite losing her precious child to a murderer.
May I respectfully suggest you think before making such crass remarks.
Posted by: Mike C, york on 9:10pm Thu 27 Mar 08
Yes, Reb, there's a phrase you don't hear much these days, but very applicable: for shame!
I passed the memorial again yesterday, thought of Caroline, and gave thanks for the safety of my own daughter.
Yes, Reb, there's a phrase you don't hear much these days, but very applicable: for shame!
I passed the memorial again yesterday, thought of Caroline, and gave thanks for the safety of my own daughter.
Posted by: Cyber-Dyne systems model 101, The future on 8:53am Fri 28 Mar 08
As I said when this first happened, Caroline was my friend.
If said vandals have an issue they should come and see me, I will keep them enterained for the evening.
No need to damage a sign of respect to those departed.
As I said when this first happened, Caroline was my friend.
If said vandals have an issue they should come and see me, I will keep them enterained for the evening.
No need to damage a sign of respect to those departed.
Posted by: tricky ricky, malton on 9:26am Fri 28 Mar 08
I hope the police eventually catch the vandals...no wait...i hope friends of Caroline's catch the vandals.
Little scrotes should be publically humiliated for desicrating a memorial. Regardless of whome the memorial is for
I hope the police eventually catch the vandals...no wait...i hope friends of Caroline's catch the vandals.
Little scrotes should be publically humiliated for desicrating a memorial. Regardless of whome the memorial is for
Posted by: sneakin, York on 9:28am Fri 28 Mar 08
Reb of Acomb - making comments about Mrs Marks-Shuttle seeking attention for herself is well out of order. How would you feel if this happened to someone in your family. Your disreguard and crass comments disgust me, whether you are capable of feeling shame is debatable. Keep comments like this to yourself in future.
Reb of Acomb - making comments about Mrs Marks-Shuttle seeking attention for herself is well out of order. How would you feel if this happened to someone in your family. Your disreguard and crass comments disgust me, whether you are capable of feeling shame is debatable. Keep comments like this to yourself in future.
Posted by: outspoken, Earswick on 10:55am Fri 28 Mar 08
Reb of Acomb, I only hope that you never have to endure the pain and suffering that this dignified lady has had to. She has made contributions to society, using her personal pain to make something more positive whilst people like you accuse her of using her daughters death for personal gain. I have had the good fortune to meet Mrs Marks- Stuttle, and find her to be an inspirational human being, I wonder how much of a positive contribution to society you would make if something as tragic as this had happened to you.
Reb of Acomb, I only hope that you never have to endure the pain and suffering that this dignified lady has had to. She has made contributions to society, using her personal pain to make something more positive whilst people like you accuse her of using her daughters death for personal gain. I have had the good fortune to meet Mrs Marks- Stuttle, and find her to be an inspirational human being, I wonder how much of a positive contribution to society you would make if something as tragic as this had happened to you.
Posted by: outspoken, Earswick on 10:56am Fri 28 Mar 08
Reb of Acomb, I only hope that you never have to endure the pain and suffering that this dignified lady has had to. She has made contributions to society, using her personal pain to make something more positive whilst people like you accuse her of using her daughters death for personal gain. I have had the good fortune to meet Mrs Marks- Stuttle, and find her to be an inspirational human being, I wonder how much of a positive contribution to society you would make if something as tragic as this had happened to you.
Reb of Acomb, I only hope that you never have to endure the pain and suffering that this dignified lady has had to. She has made contributions to society, using her personal pain to make something more positive whilst people like you accuse her of using her daughters death for personal gain. I have had the good fortune to meet Mrs Marks- Stuttle, and find her to be an inspirational human being, I wonder how much of a positive contribution to society you would make if something as tragic as this had happened to you.
Posted by: bjc, York on 11:07am Fri 28 Mar 08
I notice Reb of Acomb's spiteful comment has been removed.
I just hope Mrs Marks-Stuttle didn't see it.. if so, I hope she feels she can treat it with the contempt it deserves.
I notice Reb of Acomb's spiteful comment has been removed.
I just hope Mrs Marks-Stuttle didn't see it.. if so, I hope she feels she can treat it with the contempt it deserves.
Posted by: Yorkieloo, York on 12:28pm Fri 28 Mar 08
I was fortunate enough to know Caroline and was a friend of hers. I have also met her mother on several occasions.
For someone like Reb to make such vile comments makes my stomach turn. Mrs Marks-Stuttle is a remarkable woman who has dealt with her grief and pain in such a dignified way.
To misconstrue trying to help others with attention seeking is sickening.
I pity you Reb. Caroline was a wonderful person whos life was tragically cut short and given the public nature of the event i think her mother has coped extremely well.
As for the little vandals that sought amusement in destroying something so precious to other people, i only hope that they never have to endure the suffering and pain that Carolines family had have to.
I was fortunate enough to know Caroline and was a friend of hers. I have also met her mother on several occasions.
For someone like Reb to make such vile comments makes my stomach turn. Mrs Marks-Stuttle is a remarkable woman who has dealt with her grief and pain in such a dignified way.
To misconstrue trying to help others with attention seeking is sickening.
I pity you Reb. Caroline was a wonderful person whos life was tragically cut short and given the public nature of the event i think her mother has coped extremely well.
As for the little vandals that sought amusement in destroying something so precious to other people, i only hope that they never have to endure the suffering and pain that Carolines family had have to.
Posted by: Galloway Out on 2:20pm Fri 28 Mar 08
What did Reb of Acomb say?
What did Reb of Acomb say?
Posted by: Uncle Tony, York on 3:41pm Fri 28 Mar 08
He said nothing of worth, believe me. He doesn't deserve to be mentioned in the same sentence as Caroline or her mother. He's no better than the brainless vandals that desecrated the tree.
Rest in peace, Caroline. Tree or no tree, you'll never be forgotten.
He said nothing of worth, believe me. He doesn't deserve to be mentioned in the same sentence as Caroline or her mother. He's no better than the brainless vandals that desecrated the tree.
Rest in peace, Caroline. Tree or no tree, you'll never be forgotten.
Posted by: Galloway Out on 4:00pm Fri 28 Mar 08
Who would vandalise something like this?? It must be someone with sub McDonalds employee brains. If kids want to trash something, why not do the council offices, not a monument to an innocent girl who was murdered.
Who would vandalise something like this?? It must be someone with sub McDonalds employee brains. If kids want to trash something, why not do the council offices, not a monument to an innocent girl who was murdered.
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