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Mural remembers campaigner who lost son to gun crime

Kelly Foranand
Lauren Hirst,North West
News imageBBC Patsy McKie standing outside a building. She is wearing a blue, pink and green patterned dress and a mainly pink headscarf.BBC
Patsy McKie began campaigning against violent crime after her son's death

A mural has been created to honour the legacy of an anti-crime campaigner who was inspired to act after her son's death.

Patsy McKie's youngest son Dorrie, 20, was shot dead in the Hulme area of Manchester in 1999.

Just days later, she co-founded Mothers Against Violence (MAVUK) and dedicated the rest of her life to travelling across the world to raise awareness of her anti-crime campaign.

A colourful mural has been painted at the MAVUK Hulme Centre following her death in January 2025 at the age of 77.

News imageA mural appears on the side of a black painted wall. It includes a blue sketch of Patsy McKie surrounded by purple flowers and a bright, multi-coloured background.
Patsy McKie set up Mothers Against Violence days after her son was shot dead in 1999

"She was a very bright person, even through some of the most difficult periods of her life," said her son, Ian Swanston.

"She wanted to bring a sense of colour to the world.

"A creative artwork representing Patsy would have to be colourful, because that's definitely what she wants."

Dorrie has been about to start a sports and leisure course at college when he was shot dead amid spiralling gang violence in Manchester.

Patsy believed deeply in the strength of community and in the possibility of healing, even during the most difficult of times.

"She always said that if young people are doing something positive, they won't have time to do the things that are negative in our community," said Ian.

"So she really wanted to be able to create spaces that allowed young people to excel."

News imageIan Swanston is standing in front of the mural. It includes a blue sketch of Patsy McKie surrounded by purple flowers and a bright, multi-coloured background.
Ian Swanston said Patsy "wanted to bring a sense of colour to the world"

MAVUK was set up to support families to fight injustice, achieve their full potential and participate actively in their communities.

"I think she always wanted Hulme to be a big part of her life story," said Ian.

"I think she really treasured the place that she lived."

Makisa Gilkes, from Jet Black Dance Academy, is just one of the people to have benefited from Patsy's work.

"Born and raised in this community - and obviously in a quite deprived area - so having an area where I can develop as a person and teach other people doing dance and also to be able to do it myself and having somewhere comfortable for me to attend," she said, "it has helped us a lot".

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