FRIENDS and colleagues of a York woman who was murdered a year ago today have gathered to launch a charitable trust in her name.

Nicole Waterhouse was 32 when she was killed by former soldier Jeremy Green at a flat in Phoenix Boulevard on October 20 last year, in an attack that also left her friend and colleague Karen Browne seriously injured.

York Press:

Nicole Waterhouse, above left, and Karen Browne, right.

Today, staff at Hunters Estate Agents in York launched The Nicki Waterhouse Trust to mark the anniversary of her death. The charity will help support children in need of financial or material assistance around the UK, and supply food, clothing and financial aid to children affected by natural disaster or catastrophe.

Pernilla Tweddle, head of marketing at Hunters, said the company hoped the trust would help her memory live on.

She said: "She's still sorely missed by everyone here.

"It's obviously a difficult time but it's a good way for us to come together with a purpose and find out a bit more about the charity and we had a couple of minutes silence, listened to some nice music, and it was nice way for us to be together and gather our thoughts."

Glynis Frew, Hunters director and close friend of Miss Waterhouse's family said: "The Trust will help colleagues and friends of Nicki to not only give a focus to remembering her and everything she stood for, but also in galvanising support for individuals and offices who want to continue to show their respect and actively do something in her name that will have a positive and beneficial impact on others.

"There will be company contributions into the Trust, payroll giving and customer giving opportunities. We are very lucky to have so many people across our network who regularly organise and take part in fund-raising events such as coffee mornings, skydives and sporting endeavours of all kinds for a number of different charities. The Nicki Waterhouse Trust will now be available as an option to raise money for."

Green, 26, formerly of Peter Lane, York, admitted killing Nicole and attempting to kill Karen Browne, and was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court in April to 34 years in prison.