West Midlands Shine The Light event - 31 January 2026, Birmingham
all credits:
The NMPMFF
first published: 23 March 2026
The National Mikey Powell Memorial Family Fund (NMPMFF) worked in close partnership with INQUEST and the Family Reference Group to host the Shine The Light event held in Lozells, Birmingham on 31 January 2026. Families from across the West Midlands were invited to attend the private ceremony.
‘Shine the Light Ceremonies’ are part of wider Unjust Deaths project events that have been held across England, Wales and Scotland. The events focus on connecting families, communities and organisers while remembering those who have died; and to foster community connections and ‘shine a light’ on state-related deaths and killings.
The NMPMFF is an organisation
incubated by Catalyst.
Jodie Anderson from INQUEST spoke about their campaign and lobbying work and the ongoing support of families across the UK.
Tippa Naphtali from the NMPMFF gave an update on the important work of the NMPMFF over the last five+ years which has included providing affected families with support grants of over £64,000, and co-producing a wide range public and family-only events in UK-wide locations.
The families that were able to attend shared the stories of what happened to their loved ones, and each received a beautiful glass commemorative ‘love heart’ ornament presented by the NMPMFF staff team.
The attendees enjoyed a light lunch and opportunity to meet and mingle, as well as performances from the amazing soul-searching and moving voice of Davina Songbird accompanied by her impressive pianist, Ed Simons.
