9:27am Thursday 9th July 2009
A NEW flowering tree has been planted in memory of murdered York backpacker Caroline Stuttle, to replace one attacked earlier this year by vandals.
The tree, situated by a riverside footpath at York’s Coppergate Centre, has been given a setting more akin to a memorial garden, in the hope that people will be more respectful, said Caroline’s mother, Marjorie Marks-Stuttle.
Caroline, 19, from Huntington Road, was robbed and thrown from a 30ft bridge in Bundaberg, Australia, when she was on a gap-year tour in 2002. Heroin addict Ian Previte was sentenced to life in prison for her murder.
The tree was planted in her memory in October 2002 but has twice been vandalised, most recently in April, the day after Mothering Sunday and close to the anniversary of Caroline’s death.
Mrs Marks-Stuttle said yesterday: “It’s upsetting that people want to destroy other people’s property. Hopefully, by putting bark chippings around it, and planting two hydrangeas nearby, it will look more like a memorial garden and people will be more likely to respect it.”
She said the tree, which was cherry blossom rather than the flowering pear trees that had been there previously, had been donated by Langlands Nursery of Shiptonthorpe.
Meanwhile, a student at York College, Jodie-Marie Toone, 18, has been presented with the annual Caroline’s Rainbow Foundation Psychology prize in memory of Caroline.
Mrs Marks-Stuttle, who set up the charitable Foundation to promote safety awareness for young travellers, presented Jodie with a certificate and £50 of book tokens.
She said: “Just like Jodie, my daughter had a love of psychology. I am pleased to be able to present this award on behalf of the foundation, which in some small way will enable Jodie to pursue a degree in the subject.”
Jodie, 18, who now plans to study a combined degree of psychology and sociology at Durham University, said of the award: “I was so surprised.”
Another award has been presented by Caroline’s father, Alan, to a pupil at Huntington School, Amy Moody.
Mr Stuttle said the Richard And Caroline Bursary of £500 would enable Amy to go abroad to paint in September.
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