Judy Murray has revealed the 1996 Dunblane massacre made her realise she had to “seize the day” and create safe spaces for children
in the town.
The tennis coach – mum to sport stars Andy and Jamie – said she is grateful her sons, who were at the school at the time of the shootings, were not old enough to realise how traumatic the incident was.
Judy revealed Andy now understands the enormity of the impact on his family after having his own children.
Speaking on the White Wine Question Time podcast, the 61-year-old said: “That was, of course, a hugely significant moment in my life and all of my family’s life, and everybody who lived in the town, of course.
“You never would have imagined that would happen on your doorstep in a very small town in the middle of Scotland.”
The massacre took place at Dunblane Primary School on March 13, 1996, when Thomas Hamilton shot dead 16 pupils and one teacher before killing himself.
Andy, 33, grew up in Dunblane and attended the school. He and his brother Jamie, 34, were present at the time and Andy survived by taking cover in a classroom. Since then he has gone on to win three Grand Slam singles titles, including two at Wimbledon.
Judy said: “I was always very grateful that Jamie and Andy really were too young to understand the enormity of what happened.
“I think as they got older, especially when there are significant anniversaries, they have become much more aware of that, especially since Andy has had children, because they weren’t able to at the time because they were too small.
“It definitely changed the way I thought, maybe not immediately but certainly in the weeks afterwards.
“Creating opportunities for the kids in the town through the tennis club became an even bigger focus for me because it is a safe place for them to be.”
