Lanterns released as Helen is remembered 25 years on (From St Helens Star)

Lanterns released as Helen McCourt is remembered 25 years on

12:00pm Thursday 28th February 2013 in News By Andrew Kilmurray, News editor

A QUARTER of a century since the murder of her daughter a mother releases a lantern to the skies in her memory.

Marie McCourt says she will never forget the ray of light her daughter brought into her life, nor will she stop fighting to find where her undiscovered remains lie.

In the month that marked the 25th anniversary since Helen was killed in 1988, a celebration of her life was held in at Birchley St Mary’s Church, Billinge.

A mass attracted up to 300 people, including former school friends, ex-colleagues with Royal Insurance and police who worked on the murder investigation.

Following the service 30 Chinese lanterns were released, floating in the night skies over the village before burning up after 20 minutes.

Marie, 69, told the Star: “It was a lovely, moving moment seeing them all go up in the skies and burn up.

“The breeze was just right to carry them towards Moss Bank, and I felt as though Helen was looking down, watching over us. She would have loved it.

“In the social club afterwards we had slides running showing pictures of her from a baby, through her school days to adulthood.

“There was also a copy of a large collage portrait by Liverpool artists, which many of the guests signed.

“It was a lovely opportunity to share memories of Helen.”