Family of 40 in mass baptism after suffering series of losses

MEMBERS HOPE FOR 'SOME KIND OF PEACE' AFTER SERIES OF TRAGIC BEREAVEMENTS IN RECENT YEARS

- By OSCAR FISHER

A DERBY family hit by a series of bereavements are to gather at a city church later this month for a rare mass baptism.

It comes after the Birks family of Allenton, alongside a number of other surnames within the wider family of 40, suffered a series of losses in recent years

In November 2021, 17-year-old Keely Birks was killed in a hit-and-run while crossing Harvey Road in Derby. Peter Petrie pleaded guilty to causing her death by dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and without insurance. He was jailed for six years.

Then, in January 2023, Keely’s brother, Conner Birks, died at the age of 24, and in March this year, her other brother, Keiron Birks, died at the age of 25.

Just days after Keiron's funeral, the family was then hit with another loss with the death of Martin McKenna, 48, who was the father of Keely, Conner and Keiron.

"When you are dealt with such sadness in such a short space of time, you need to seek comfort in anything you can," said Ashley Birks, cousin of Keely, Conner and Keiron.