Jill Dando was ‘loved by millions’ and her life is ‘one worth celebrating’, says her brother, 20 years after her murder.
Since her death in 1999, Jill’s legacy has lived on in Weston-super-Mare’s schools and in the community.
The creation of three news centres and a garden are all just the tip of the iceberg showing Weston’s efforts to remember her.
Nigel Dando is ‘impressed’ by how much her memory was being cherished in Weston.
He added: “Jill’s Garden was created just two years after she was killed and a lot of people still come from near and far to visit it.
“It is starting to show its age and needs a facelift but it is nice to see the signs directing to it and gives people the chance to reflect.”
In the past two years, three centres have been opened at Worle and Priory schools and most recently at The King Alfred School, to pay homage to Jill’s career as a journalist and to train the reporters of tomorrow.
MORE: Jill’s legacy remains in Weston and beyond through student news centres.
Nigel said: “I think Jill would be really chuffed to see them being opened, especially at the school she attended.
“It is doing valuable work teaching pupils about Jill and about journalism as a whole.
“It is who she was and what she represented; they are doing journalism, promoting the school and the achievements of friends, families and more.
“The work she did and what she achieved from humble beginnings shows what you can do if you have the talent, ability and drive to succeed.”
Nigel said his sister would be ‘so pleased’ to see her memory live on in her hometown and was moved by the nation’s efforts to mark the 20th anniversary.
He added: “Young people and teenagers growing up in Weston may not necessarily know about it or only have a vague idea.
“It is a major unsolved crime story and the BBC’s documentary handled it really well.
“It wasn’t overblown and it was very well done and told. It brought the story home to a new audience.”
Nigel said his family all ‘live in hope’ that justice will one day be done but ‘as time passes that hope somewhat diminishes’.
The Dandos will remember Jill at a private gathering in London, hosted by her Crimewatch co-presenter Nick Ross.
He said: “The death of any loved one is hard but she was loved by millions of people locally and nationally and it is a life worth celebrating.”
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