A weekly newspaper has joined forces with the mother of a teenager who was stabbed to death for an education drive.

The Warrington Guardian is set to launch a campaign with Esther Ghey, whose 16-year-old daughter Brianna died in February.

The campaign, which officially launches next month, will aim to raise money to send teachers on training courses organised by the Mindfulness in Schools Project. The project aims to increase mental health provision in schools.

Guardian’s community reporter Tom Bedworth, who has covered Brianna’s story since news broke of the transgender teenager’s death on 11 February, suggested working with her family on a campaign after hearing of their desire to raise funds for MiSP.

How the Guardian covered Brianna Ghey’s death in february

Tom said: “Growing up in Warrington, it never occurred to me that somebody would be killed here – let alone a teenager.

“Brianna’s story resonated across Warrington and the country; I had the privilege of reporting from vigils that were organised in Warrington town centre and Culcheth in the week after Brianna was killed.

“Warrington came together to mourn someone whom most of us had never met – the town showed togetherness in its grief for the loss of a girl who was taken from her family too soon.”

Guardian deputy editor Gareth Dunning added: “We are delighted to partner with Esther on this new campaign. The stresses on children and young people have never been higher than they are today.

“The prevalence of social media means bullying may not just be felt in schools but when youngsters go home as well. By increasing access for teachers to learn skills to pass on to our young children, we can hopefully give young people the tools they need to cope in today’s pressurised world.

“If we, as parents, can also develop skills to help with our mental health, then Warrington will be a better place to live.

“If our campaign goes as we like, Warrington can become a beacon and a template for the rest of the country for a better state of mind and a healthier environment for all our young people to live in.”

The Guardian is now calling on local businesses to get involved in the campaign.

Richard Duggan, Newsquest’s regional editor for the North West, said: “Brianna’s story was one that shocked people everywhere, and the Warrington Guardian’s coverage of her death has kept people informed in a respectful and sensitive way ever since.

“All of our hearts broke for Esther and the rest of Brianna’s family when the news came of her death in February. No parent should ever have to bury a child.

“This campaign, spearheaded by Esther with our community reporter, Tom, will aim to provide more support for Warrington’s schoolchildren.

“It is a campaign that we think everyone can get behind, and it is one that Newsquest is proud to champion.”