A Royal date for campaigning duo.

Byline: By Brenda Hickman

Families who turned personal tragedy into positive action to help other victims' relatives will be recognised by the Princess Royal.

Dave Hines, founder of the North of England Victims' Association, and Victims' Voice, an umbrella group for 15 similar organisations, will attend a special London conference addressing the needs of people bereaved through crime.

Tyneside mum June Richardson, whose son, Martin Brown was one of the victims of child killer Mary Bell, is also travelling to the London seminar as the founder of the Homicide Support Unit.

Dave Hines, who started NEVA 11 years ago, following the murder of his daughter, Marie, said: "We are delighted the work of our organisations will be recognised by Princess Anne, who is president of national Victims' Support charity.

"The Metropolitan Police organised the conference, for 100 invited guests and Trustees of the represented groups.

"The Princess Royal will address the gathering and she has expressed an interest in meeting officials of groups like ours," said Mr Hines, whose daughter was murdered by her ex-boyfriend.

NEVA exists to support the people in the region affected by murder and manslaughter and seeks to provide a voice for victims at a national level as well as raising money for them.

Mr Hines has campaigned for more help for victims of crime since his daughter died. Marie, 23, was strangled with a dressing gown cord and beaten by Anthony Davison.

Davison, of Salem Street, Jarrow, the father of Marie's child, was jailed for life.

Mr Hines and his wife Kathy had suffered months of anxiety as Davison carried out a reign of terror, with countless threats against them and their property.

After the court case it emerged he had regularly beaten Marie.

Mr Hines, a former magistrate, and his wife spent the years since her death gathering support for a campaign for life sentences to mean life.

Professional services who provide help and guidance to victims' families will also take part in the event, with speakers from the coroners' office, legal system and police, who train officers to assist crime victims' families.

The conference, Victims needs - The Future, will explore what is available to victims in the form of practical and emotional support and what constitutes an appropriate service.