Candle-lit Vigil For Christina Edkins

Birmingham Cathedral hosted a vigil for the 16 year old stab victim two weeks on from the attack in the city centre.

Christina Edkins was travelling from Birmingham to Leasowes school in Halesowen on Thursday March 7th when she was stabbed once in the chest on the number 9 bus.

The candle-lit vigil took place at St Phillips Cathedral at 7:30pm on Thursday the 21st of March.

The teenager's funeral is also being held there on Friday the 22nd of March with 600 people expected to attend. She will be brought down Colmore Row on a horse drawn carriage with the family following behind in two cars.

Very Revd Catherine Ogle, Dean of Birmingham says:

"It is a sad privilege for Birmingham Cathedral to conduct the funeral for Christina, and we extend heart-felt sympathy and prayers to her family and friends. This death is very hard to bear and we ask all those who mourn the loss of this lovely and bright young woman to join us in prayer on Friday.

Our space in the Cathedral is limited, and entry to the funeral needs to be restricted, but where ever people are they can join in prayer for comfort and peace for all those affected by Christina"s tragic death."

Colmore Row will be closed 12pm-3pm between Livery Street and Newhall Street.

The service will commence at 1.30pm and will be attended by friends, family and Christina's school.  Mourners will be seated by 1.15pm. The service is expected to finish at around 2.30pm.

A 22 year old man remains in custody, having been charged with her murder.