Family and friends yesterday remembered Eleanor Walker during a short walk along the road in Swieqi where she is believed to have been killed a year ago.
The mourners walked up Triq l-Uqija, stopping briefly to recite prayers in front of the garage where the 33-year-old mother was allegedly murdered.
Some, including her 10-year-old daughter, held flowers or a candle while others carried some of Ms Walker’s artwork. Most wore a shirt featuring her portrait and the words “Justice for Eleanor Walker”.
Ms Walker’s cousins, who travelled from the US, the UK and Australia, led the group, carrying a banner urging people to donate blood throughout the month of July, in memory of the deceased.
Ms Walker’s body was found in a Qormi warehouse a year ago today. Her estranged husband is pleading not guilty to her murder.
Ms Walker’s cousins, who travelled from the US, the UK and Australia, led the group, carrying a banner urging people to donate blood throughout the month of July, in memory of the deceased
As the court case continues, her mother, Josephine Walker, has urged those still thinking whether to give blood to follow in the steps of her late daughter, a faithful blood donor for 13 years.
The mother plans to run awareness campaigns every July and will be leaving a visitors’ book at the blood donation unit in Guardamangia where people who decide to donate blood in memory of the deceased can leave a message.
Ms Walker Snr first thought of raising awareness about the importance of donating blood when she saw how much blood her daughter had lost.
She cannot donate blood herself because of her age.
However, she has decided to donate her body for research upon her death and has already persuaded her sister, Helen Bonello, to follow suit.
Ms Bonello told this newspaper that, together with relatives and friends, she was trying to raise awareness about issues of domestic violence, urging harsher penalties.
The family, whose members are raising funds to ensure justice is done in Ms Walker’s case, have set up a blog, which provides links where victims can find help.
Those gathered in Swieqi yesterday headed to the blood donation unit after Mass for the repose of Ms Walker’s soul.
The National Blood Transfusion Service centre, adjacent to St Luke’s Hospital, is open from Monday to Sunday between 8am and 6pm.
Look up National Blood Transfusion Service – Malta on Facebook or download the Blood Donors MT app, available on the App Store and Google Play. Log on to https://health.gov.mt/en/nbts for more information.