Knife Crime Campaigner Delivers Powerful Message to Wrexham Students
A knife crime campaigner whose son was tragically murdered in a case of mistaken identity delivered a deeply moving and inspiring talk to students in Wrexham. Pooja Kanda spoke to up to 120 learners at the Institute of Technology, part of Coleg Cambria's Bersham Road site, during two awareness sessions followed by a question-and-answer period.
A Mother's Heartbreaking Loss
Pooja shared the devastating story of her son Ronan, who was just 16 years old when he was murdered in Wolverhampton in 2022 after attackers mistook him for someone else. "He was not the target, yet his life was taken," she told the room. "Ten more steps and he would have been home. It was a case of mistaken identity."
She described how Ronan had gone out to see a friend after finishing his GCSEs, a small treat following weeks of hard work. "He never got to see his GCSE results. I did. He got As and worked so hard to get them, up at 6am studying," Pooja said. "Ronan was everything you could want in a son. He was very popular, kind, and he never shied away from being the strongest version of himself." A big Liverpool FC fan, Ronan was known for his humour and warmth.
Turning Grief into Action
Pooja added: "My life was amazing and full of laughter. Then I lost my son, and myself. The trauma I feel from that day to this is 100% a nightmare - the scary movie that you watch is reality for me." She explained how she had been unaware of the scale of knife crime in her community until that night. "When this happened, I had no idea we had such a problem. I had to search online to find out what a machete was. People think it will not happen to them. So did I, and how wrong I was."
Gripping the room with courage and honesty, Pooja spoke of how her grief became a campaign for change, beginning with a petition, a march, and lobbying Government—including then opposition leader Keir Starmer—which ultimately led to Ronan's Law. "My fight started that day. What I'm doing, what I am fighting for, I hope it will protect other people's children," she said.
A Call to Prevent Violence
"Every time I speak like this I am going through so much, but I will do it again and again if it stops you becoming a victim. We will never stop spreading Ronan's story and his light that shines," Pooja declared. She urged learners to stay safe, walk away from danger, and speak to parents, teachers, or police if they ever feel worried or concerned. "What matters is that you walk out of that door today and make a difference in your life," she added. "One moment can change everything. Prevention is key."
College Leadership and Symbolic Artwork
The presentations were led by Karl Jackson, Assistant Principal for the Institute of Technology and Site Lead at Bersham Road. He thanked Pooja for sharing Ronan's story and said: "Pooja is truly inspiring and incredible. Her bravery and passion held the room from start to finish, and her message will stay with our learners. On behalf of everyone at Coleg Cambria, I'd like to thank her for coming and for everything she continues to do."
During her visit, Pooja also viewed the spectacular Knife Dragon sculpture on site, a hand-crafted artwork shown protecting a small child and built from decommissioned weapons collected by North Wales Police. Affectionately named 'JohnFree', the dragon was created in partnership with Wrexham County Borough Council and features kitchen knives, samurai swords, and bayonets welded into steel frames.
Illuminated at night in the national colours of Wales, it stands as a powerful reminder of the impact knife crime can have on individuals, families, and communities, and as a testament to the role education and collaboration play in prevention.
