A PODCAST that celebrates the people of St Helens has released a special and emotional episode with Marie McCourt MBE.
Set up by Dan Hodges, 'Hodgecast' is a local podcast that zones in on the extraordinary and inspiring stories of people in and around St Helens.
After overcoming serious mental health struggles and raising tens of thousands of pounds for charity, Dan has interviewed Sintelliners such as long-distance runner Matt Crehan and England Amputee footballer Liam Burbridge.
For the latest episode of the podcast, released on Wednesday, July 12, Marie McCourt and her husband John were interviewed to speak about Helen's Law, Marie's years of campaigning, and the tragic case of their daughter.
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Following the tragic death of Marie's 22-year-old daughter Helen in 1988, who was abducted and murdered on her way home from work in Billinge, Marie has spent years campaigning in her honour.
Although pub landlord Ian Simms was sentenced for Helen's murder due to overwhelming DNA evidence, he never revealed where her body was.
After the devastation of Helen's murder, Marie fought for five years to have a new law brought in that would prevent killers who do not reveal the location of their victims’ bodies from ever being released.
Helen's Law eventually came into force in January 2021, meaning that others in a similar situation will know that parole boards will always consider if a killer has not chosen not to reveal the whereabouts of their victim's remains.
After being awarded an MBE for her tireless campaign work around Helen's Law, Marie appeared on an emotional episode of the 'Hodgecast' to tell her story to a local audience.
After shooting the podcast, Dan said: "I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to meet and shoot this episode with Marie.
"I was truly taken aback by her story and presence, the day we shot this. Having watched it back, I’m not ashamed to admit, I shed a few tears afterwards.
"Marie is an incredible woman, mother, and person who I am sure anyone suffering with grief or turmoil in their lives, can take a level of empathy and inspiration from what Marie has endured and overcame for over 35 years."
You can watch the 'Justice for Helen' episode of Hodgecast here.
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