BBC Appeal Transcript

As read by Linton Kwesi Johnson on BBC Radio 4, February 2008

In August 2004 Adam Rickwood, a vulnerable 14-year-old boy, was found hanging in a Secure Training Centre. His was the youngest ever death in custody. When his mother was informed in the middle of the night, she didn’t know what to do. Her family was stricken with grief, frightened and isolated. It was the charity INQUEST that provided ongoing support to guide her through the lengthy, complicated investigation and inquest process and put her in touch with other bereaved families.

INQUEST, the only charity in England and Wales providing an in-depth casework service to the families of those who die in custody, arranges specialist legal representation so that questions and concerns about the death are raised and families feel part of the process. Without the charity families can attend an inquest unrepresented. Police and prison services are represented by government-funded lawyers.

INQUEST plays a unique role in supporting any bereaved family through a legal process most of us are unfamiliar with. Shocked and upset families have to learn the legal language of death – what is a post mortem, a coroner, an inquest? What are their legal rights and what is going to happen? At this difficult time who can people turn to?

Coroner’s inquests are also held following sudden, unnatural deaths in hospital, at work or on public transport. INQUEST has an information pack free for any bereaved family that explains the whole process and where to find emotional and practical support.

INQUEST campaigns, develops policy and undertakes research to reform the investigation and inquest system. It works to improve the treatment of bereaved people and to reduce custodial deaths.

I am a long term supporter of INQUEST and have seen how much difference their service can make.

Your donation can really help the charity support more bereaved families. The small dedicated staff helped 350 families in the last year, providing a vital service at a deeply traumatic time.

Make your donation now by calling 0800 404 8144. That’s 0800 404 8144. Or you can send a cheque payable to INQUEST to FREEPOST BBC RADIO 4 APPEAL, that’s FREEPOST BBC RADIO 4 APPEAL. Mark the back of your envelope INQUEST.

Thank you.