10 years on, Hove mother still can't forgive terrorists who killed her son (From The Argus)

10 years on, Hove mother still can't forgive terrorists who killed her son

2:20pm Tuesday 17th April 2012 in News

A MOTHER has said she does not think she will ever be able to forgive the terrorists who killed her son.

Daniel Braden, from Brighton, died in the Bali bombing in 2002.

In the ten years since the 28-year-old’s death, his mother Mandy has helped raise more than £1.5 million to help young people from different cultures become more tolerant.

But despite helping so many others to overcome their differences and understand each other’s cultures, Mrs Braden said she did not believe she would ever be able to forgive her son’s killers.

Mrs Braden, a retired doctor’s receptionist from Medina Terrace Hove, said: “I don’t think I will ever be able to say the word forgive. As far as that’s concerned I try not to dwell on it too much.

“I think everyone has been punished who should have been, but I don’t think I will be ever be able to say I forgive them.

“A lot of people suffered a lot of pain and suffering but you have to put a positive slant on it.”

Former Middle Street Primary School and Brighton College pupil Daniel was living in Taiwan and visiting Bali on a rugby tour at the time of the tragedy.

Mrs Braden, Daniel’s father Alex, sister Claire and Daniel’s partner, Jun Hirst, set up the Encompass Trust after his death.

In almost ten years the charity has raised more than £1.5million but needs to raise another £7,000 by the end of the month to fund the latest “Journey of Understanding”.

The charity runs activities to bring young people from different cultures, such as Israel, Palestine and Indonesia, together with the aim of reducing extremism.

Mrs Braden said: “We felt that to the people who killed Daniel and killed a lot of young people, they didn’t know who they were, they were just white faces.

“But if you know people and have met people from different cultures you are more likely to think of them as people.

“I think Dan would have been pleased with what we have done. He was a great traveller and had worked abroad and embraced different cultures.

“And setting up and running the charity has helped us to channel our grief.”

The charity needs funds to help youngsters from different cultures travel on their trips.

If you would like to get involved please visit www.globalgiving. co.uk and search Encompass where you can donate directly online to the charity’s project “Bring 24 young ambassadors together for peace”. Alternatively, please send cheques to Encompass Trust, Faraday House, 48-51 Old Gloucester Street, London WC1N 3AE.