A TOUCHING tribute for Barrow music lover Kara-Leigh Wilkinson has been drawn on a wall in the Northern Quarter in Manchester.
The mural depicts a sunflower growing out of weeds and a poem dedicated to the Barrow Underground Music Society (BUMS) volunteer. It is not known who painted the mural.
Kara-Leigh was 29 years old when she died. She had a strong connection to the Greater Manchester area as well as Barrow. She studied Artist and Venue Management at Salford University and pushed to get bands that she had seen in Manchester to perform in Barrow.
BUMS manager Rob Dunphy outlined some of the bands that Kara-Leigh had connections to in her life, which included 2018 Mercury Prize nominee King Krule.
He said: "She met King Krule's drummer in Manchester and brought his other band Horsey to us. We met King Krule recently to try and get him to perform at BUMS. Her music tastes were across all genres and she attended multiple live music and club nights across the city and beyond."
Kara-Leigh recorded her own radio shows and broadcast live streams during lockdowns. Her show was called Sad Boy Sundays and was broadcast on Sunday evenings. She also went to Liverpool to scout out different bands and artists she wanted to see perform in Barrow.
Mr Dunphy described Kara-Leigh as an 'inspiration.'
He said after her death: "Kara-Leigh was more than just a co-volunteer at BUMS. Her passion for music was infectious, inspiring all of us to strive for the very best in our venue and the local music scene.
"During lockdowns, when the world seemed to dim, Kara-Leigh illuminated our lives with her unwavering spirit. During her Sunday night live broadcasts, she shared her music and reached out to those struggling with mental health.
"She showed us how to lose ourselves in the music, to surrender to its rhythm and let it guide our spirits,
"Beyond the club's walls, Kara-Leigh extended her love and support to us all.
"She became woven into the fabric of our individual families. Her warmth, laughter, and unselfish devotion added so much to us all."
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