Amanda at school Amanda with mum Angela

WITH her eyes sparkling and cheeks folded into an infectious grin, Amanda Cummings smiles for her school photograph – a moving reminder of a girl described this week as an “angel”.
Ms Cummings, 27, died just three days before Christmas after being stabbed close to her family home on the College Place Estate in Camden Town.
She had spent several years helping children with special needs.
Grieving friends and family this week paid tribute to Ms Cummings – affectionately known as ‘Manda’.
Her mother Angela Cummings, who helps run St Pancras Community Centre in Camden Street, Camden Town, and brother Syyrus said in a short but touching message: “In our lives you were such a big part. The night yours stopped, we lost a big part of our hearts.”
Aunt Jennie Matthias, a musician and community worker, added: “Amanda was simply the most beautiful, sweetest and kindest girl that I have met – I honestly mean that. I never knew her to argue with anyone. She had this amazing calming influence and everybody loved her for that.”
Tragedy struck the family last year when Ms Cummings’ uncle, Johnny – also known as ‘Bozo’ – died.
Ms Matthias said: “He was her favourite uncle. She said to me afterwards ‘I love you Auntie Jen, I want to get to know you better’ and so we hooked up for lunch and spent more time together. She was a spiritual girl, she understood the universe and if she had been allowed to live then she would have done something amazing.
“A lot of the tributes have said she is with her favourite uncle now, that she has met up with my brother. She really was an amazing girl who spent so much time trying to help others, working with children with special needs.”
A candle-lit shrine marking the spot where Ms Cummings was attacked is still growing. Relatives have asked mourners to pay tribute by adding their own candles. They will remain lit until Mon-day – what would have been Ms Cummings’ 28th birthday.
Ms Matthias – known in the area as ‘Red Jen’ – said: “People have been asking about tributes. We would love people to light a candle for Manda.”
Ms Cummings – also known by the surname Bentsi-Addison – was a former pupil at Richard Cobden School in Camden Street, Camden Town, and Maria Fidelis Secondary School in Phoenix Road, Somers Town. She worked at the Tavistock Day Centre in Hampstead.
Friend Ephrem Jacob, who worked alongside Ms Cummings at Sainsbury’s when they were teenagers, said: “Amanda has been my best friend for more than 12 years, and indeed will be for the rest of my life.
“We used to phone each other when we had our ups and downs. We celebrated our ups and during our downs we gave each other support. I felt supported by Amanda because of who she was. Amanda was such a beautiful, pure in heart, kind, compassionate and loving person who manifested the best human qualities there are. Amanda was a living angel and I feel her beautiful radiant smile and her childlike giggle as she looks down on us.”
Rose Burrows, another friend, added: “You were a lovely lady, a shining example of what youth should be.”
A mass for will be held at Our Lady of Hal Church in Arlington Road, Camden Town, on January 14. Ms Cummings’ funeral has been delayed due to
the ongoing police investigation.
n Darren John, 21, of Camden Street, Camden Town, who has been charged with Ms
Cummings’ murder is currently remanded in custody awaiting an appearance at the Old Bailey on April 3.