A piece of art commemorating a 19-year-old Reepham College student who was killed in a road accident more than 18 months ago has been installed at the medical school where she was about to take up her studies.
Family and friends of Katja Hansen-Livsey with the bird sculpture dedicated to her housed at the University of Liverpool School of Medicine (left to right): Cameron Livsey, Jimmi Cubitt, Hilary Livsey, Ava Bazley and Bryony Reed
A piece of art commemorating a 19-year-old Reepham College student who was killed in a road accident more than 18 months ago has been installed at the medical school where she was about to take up her studies.
The bird sculpture dedicated to Katja Hansen-Livsey, who was known as “Birdy”, was unveiled at the University of Liverpool School of Medicine on 21 April, where it is now permanently housed in the admissions building.
Katja was an outstanding student who worked hard to achieve her dream of studying medicine; she had great perception and an incredible appreciation of how small gestures can make a big difference.
Katja’s mother Hilary Livsey said: “The head of admissions of the medical school, Dr Fiona Watson, was so welcoming to us. She and a group of doctors had organised tea and cakes and we spent a couple of hours together.
“Teucer Wilson did a fantastic job of creating a simple, elegant and very feminine bird, which reminded us all very much of Katja.
“Her huge achievement of gaining a place to study medicine was honoured and I was very grateful to have had the opportunity to do this, as it was important to me that, somehow, she ‘got’ to Liverpool. Well done to you, Birdy.”
The money to create the sculpture was raised through a range of events, including a cake and flower sale and a 20-mile cycle ride, called Birdy’s Bike Ride, from Holt to Reepham in June last year. (The second Birdy’s Bike Ride will be held on Sunday 23 August; more details in the July/August edition of Reepham Life.)
The funds raised (so far more than £6,000) have also been used to create a bursary scheme for Year 13 students at Reepham College called the Katja Livsey Achievement Award.
The scheme, which provides financial support for such things as equipment, travel to university open days or specific events to support students with university applications, has already helped five students at the College.
Students can apply to the Katja Hansen-Livsey Trust via hilary.clark@hotmail.co.uk
See our earlier stories:
- Birdy’s Bike Ride raises more than £5,000
- Fundraising bike ride to commemorate Katja’s life in Norfolk