Julie Nicholson shares her heartbreaking journey after losing her daughter Jenny in the tragic 7/7 bombings in London
London: It was a sunny day on July 6, 2005, when Jenny Nicholson texted her mom about an opera question. She was celebrating the city’s Olympic win with thousands of others. Little did they know, it would be the last message Julie would receive from her daughter.
The next day, Jenny headed to work but had to switch to the Circle Line due to issues on the Bakerloo Line. At 8:49 AM, tragedy struck when a bomb was detonated by a terrorist on her train.
Meanwhile, in Anglesey, Julie was enjoying a quiet morning when her other daughter called, panicking about the news of explosions in London. As she turned on the TV, the reality of the situation began to sink in. The city was under attack.
Hours passed without any word from Jenny. Julie felt helpless, watching the news unfold, seeing the chaos and fear in the streets. She decided she couldn’t just sit there anymore and booked a train to London.
When she arrived, she met with Jenny’s boyfriend, James, and they went to the Royal Hospital London, hoping to find her. But the scene was chaotic, and after hours of waiting, they learned Jenny was not there.
Days later, the devastating news came. Jenny was among the 52 victims of the bombings. Julie was heartbroken, feeling a wave of grief wash over her. She needed to see her daughter one last time, to understand what had happened.
At the morgue, touching Jenny’s cold hand brought back memories of her vibrant life. The funeral was a bittersweet moment, filled with love and sorrow. Julie honored her daughter’s spirit by writing a book and participating in a documentary about the bombings.
As the 20th anniversary of the attacks approaches, Julie reflects on the lasting impact of that day. She emphasizes the importance of kindness and understanding in a world that can be so cruel.
Though she has moved to a quieter life in Gloucestershire, the grief of losing Jenny remains a constant companion. Every day is a reminder of the love and loss she carries in her heart.
