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Murdered teen's family 'overwhelmed' by MBEs

News imagePA Alison Madgin on the left is smiling and wearing a black coat and stylish hat. Carly Barrett is wearing green, long-sleeved dress with low neckline and a blue fascinator-style hat. They are holding up their boxed honours in the shape of a red bow. PA
Alison Madgin and Carly Barrett said the honours would help them when their journeys "feel heavy"

The mother and sister of a murdered teenager have said they were "overwhelmed" to receive their MBEs from the King, giving them "strength to go on" battling knife crime.

Alison Madgin's daughter Samantha, 18, who had not long given birth, was stabbed to death in Wallsend, North Tyneside, in 2007.

Mrs Madgin and her daughter Carly Barrett set up Samantha's Legacy in 2019, a community interest company that seeks to educate young people about the dangers of knives and keep Samantha's memory alive.

After receiving their awards from King Charles they said they were trying to process the magnitude of the honours, but it would help them when "the journey feels heavy".

Miss Madgin, 18, who had given birth to her son Callum two months earlier, was stabbed to death as she tried to break up a fight.

Jordan Jobson, then 15, was convicted of her murder and sentenced to life with a minimum of 15 years, but had her sentence cut twice.

News imageFamily photo Samantha Madgin is wearing an off-shoulder cream top and is tanned. She is crouching over and looking side on at the camera in what appears to be a professional modelling shot with an all-white background. She has long blond hair with a middle parting. Family photo
Samantha Madgin had given birth to a son two months before she was murdered

Mother and daughter received their honours at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle earlier this month.

In a joint statement the pair said: "We've returned home after visiting His Majesty King Charles to be officially awarded our MBEs and we are still trying to process the magnitude of it all.

"Overwhelmed, emotional and incredibly proud.

"It's a feeling we wish we could bottle up and keep close, especially for the days when the journey feels heavy."

News imagePA Carley Barret has long dark hair and is smiling. She is holding a photo of her sister with her baby. Sitting next to her is her mother Alison Madgin who is wearing a black dress with white piping and is also smiling. The background of the photo is black. PA
Carly Barrett said Christmas is "very difficult" without her sister

The family set up Samantha's Legacy in the year which would have seen her 30th birthday.

As well as raising awareness of the dangers of knives, the organisation also offers caravan retreats to victims and their families.

Speaking to Radio Newcastle, Ms Barret said: "Samantha was someone I looked up to and who was very protective of me.

"I was only 16 when she died and I try to visualise what life would be like with her and the bond we would have had, but that's been cut short.

"I always hate that saying 'time is a healer'.

"You learn to live as best as you can, you put a smile on your face, but as this time of year around Christmas it's very difficult.

"Knowing that there's that empty seat at the table is hard, but we are a strong family and we get through things together."

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