The new ‘James’ Legacy Line’ will offer 24-hour aid to other grieving families who have lost loved ones with trained crisis advisors manning the lines

James Bulger’s mum Denise (Image: Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)

The family of murdered James Bulger have set up a groundbreaking helpline to support others whose lives have been ripped apart by crime.

The new ‘James’ Legacy Line’ will offer 24-hour aid to other grieving families who have lost loved ones with trained crisis advisors manning the lines to offer guidance on how to cope in the wake of a tragedy.

The mother of tiny James – brutally kidnapped and killed in 1993 – will launch the charity hotline, which will start taking calls to coincide with his birthday, tomorrow.

Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, mum Denise said: “When I lost James over 30 years ago, I found myself navigating an unimaginable journey without a guiding light.

James Bulger(Image: PA)

“I desperately wished for someone who understood, someone who could help me through both my devastating loss and the challenging fight for justice. We really hope James’ Line will be that beacon of hope for families, ensuring no one faces their darkest moments alone.”

The launch comes after James’ family and their charity – James Bulger Memorial Trust – received a growing number of families reaching out for crucial support with challenges ranging from grief and crime-related issues to urgent concerns about their children’s wellbeing.

Grieving families will receive 24/7 confidential support and guidance from hotline handlers and immediate access to support advisors.

Trained helpers will be able to give options on how to deal with authorities and upcoming legal proceedings and give counselling advice.

Denise Fergus and husband Stuart

Denise, who has fed her first-hand experiences of grief into the advisors training to shape their bespoke service, said: “We are really proud to be giving something back to people, who like me, will feel you have nowhere to turn or no one who understands. But they should assure that we understand, we have been through the same hell.

“When something happens to your family I have realised how important it is to not feel alone so we wanted this hotline to provide a beacon in the darkness to others.”

The hotline is being set up to marking to mark the charity’s 15 years of support for families affected by crime. Denise and husband Stuart, from Merseyside, already have a holiday home in Blackpool called James Bulger House, which they give to families having difficult times.

Two-year-old James was abducted in February 1993 from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside, by Jon Venables and Robert Thompson – both 10 at the time of the murder. His body was found two miles away on a railway line in Walton, Liverpool.

The killers served just eight years in a young offenders’ institute before being released on licence in 2001 when they were 18 years old. Venables has reoffended twice over child abuse images and Denise has campaigned tirelessly to keep him in jail. In December 2023, the parole board ruled he was unfit to be released in a victory for James’ mum.

Denise added: “James’ Legacy Line number will also be a nod to James’ birthday, which is poignant for us and we urge anyone who thinks they need to call it to do so. It represents more than just a helpline – it’s a legacy of hope, understanding, and practical support for families in their time of need.”

*To call James’ Line from today call 0300 324 1603.