Parents of murdered Barrowford nurse says thanks for support

Tuesday was the day the Barrowford mother never got to see after she was brutally murdered by her former partner, Jonathan Vass, at Blackpool Victoria Hospital A&E.

Jane’s family are now hoping to secure a brighter future for one-year-old Imogen, who will face tough times ahead as she learns of her mother’s brutal death at the hands of her father.

This week, they thanked Jane’s colleagues and friends who have launched a fund-raising campaign for Imogen to ensure she is looked after as she gets older.

The cash will be put into a trust which will be overseen by the nurse’s devastated parents John and Penny Clough.

Penny, Imogen’s grandmother, said: “We get great comfort from the fact everyone loved her and we are in people’s thoughts.

“We want to say a huge thanks to everyone who supported her and are still supporting us now.

“We are tremendously proud of the A&E and hospital staff. It’s wonderful what they have done for us and Jane.

The staff at the hospital, where Jane had worked for four years, held a golf tournament earlier this month, an event they plan to hold every year.

Colleague Mary Bird, who organised the event, said: “It was terrible when it happened, everyone was devastated.

“To think a little girl is deprived of her mum.

“A lot of the staff were asking what they could do so we came up with the golf tournament, with the money going into a trust fund for Imogen until she is 18.

“We raised £ 450 and hope to raise much more.”

Jane’s dad John, 50, said: “We are eternally grateful for the efforts people are going to for fund-raising for Imogen.

“The way the tournament was organised was brilliant – the good will people have shown is amazing.”

“We would like to thank everyone who did their best to assist Jane on that terrible night and to thank everyone who’s been affected by these events for their support we have received from them. It’s meant a great deal to us.”

Vass, a 17st bodybuilder from Preston, was on bail facing nine counts of raping Miss Clough, as well as two of assault and one of sexual assault against her, when he launched his final, frenzied attack.

Miss Clough, 26, was brutally stabbed by the 30-year-old former ambulance technician as she arrived to her shift at The Vic.

He was sentenced to life behind bars, and told by a judge he must serve a minimum of 30 years.

Imogen is now being brought up by Jane’s sister Louise and husband Chris, who already have a three-year-old son Zack.