Grace O’Malley-Kumar valiantly tried to save her friend Barnaby Webber as he was stabbed 10 times in a street by Valdo Calocane. The parents of Grace support calls for their daughter to be awarded the George Cross for her bravery. The honour would ensure Grace is remembered forever for her incredible sacrifice and astonishing bravery. Grace’s family hopes this acknowledgement will highlight her wonderful character rather than focusing solely on the tragic fate she suffered. The George Cross, awarded only 160 times since 1940, is reserved for acts of extreme heroism and courage.
Grace’s father, Dr. Kumar, lauded his daughter’s bravery, emphasizing that it sets an example for all young people. Grace’s brother, James, described her as a hero who always tried to help others. In June 2023, Grace rushed to Barnaby’s aid when he was targeted by Calocane, who also killed another man and injured multiple others in a violent rampage in Nottingham. Grace fought Calocane for 30 seconds before succumbing to her own wounds. Calocane was sentenced to indefinite detention at a high-security hospital after pleading guilty to three manslaughter charges.
Nottingham Crown Court heard that Grace’s final moments were spent trying to save her friend while pleading with the attacker. Tory MPs Marco Longhi and David Morris have voiced their support for Grace to be posthumously awarded the George Cross as a tribute to her selfless bravery. The family of the victims endured the horror of watching police CCTV footage of the attack, further highlighting Grace’s valiant efforts to defend her friend. Grace’s family and supporters continue to call for Calocane to face murder charges for his violent actions.
Grace’s family established a foundation in her memory with the motto “Let’s be more like Grace” to promote acts of kindness and bravery like hers. The tragic events of that day in Nottingham highlighted the need for recognizing and honoring acts of courage in the face of danger. Grace’s family hopes that by receiving the George Cross, her legacy of heroism will live on and inspire others to follow her example. The call for justice in holding Calocane accountable for his crimes continues as the victims’ families seek closure and justice for their loved ones.
