A MOTHER who has tirelessly campaigned for justice since the death of her son after he was discharged from a mental health unit has vowed to keep fighting after giving evidence at a major inquiry.

Julia Hopper, from Southend, spoke at the statutory Lampard Inquiry on Monday, as it entered its seventh day investigating the deaths of 2,000 people who were receiving mental health care in Essex between 2000 and 2023.

She has spent the last four years campaigning for action on behalf of her son Chris Nota, who died aged 19 in July 2020 after falling from height.

Julia Hopper talks to Kobad Bankwala, 68, the father of Darian Bankwala who was 22 years old when he was hit by a train and killed near Wickford stationJulia Hopper talks to Kobad Bankwala, 68, the father of Darian Bankwala who was 22 years old when he was hit by a train and killed near Wickford station (Image: PA / Joe Giddens) The coroner ruled that EPUT, South Essex ICB and Southend Council had contributed to Chris’ death.

Julia has described speaking at the Lampard Inquiry as “sickening and terrifying” and has praised the “people of Essex” for pushing the debate from campaign to full public investigation.

She said: “I haven’t even begun, there are thousands of deaths at the moment being looked at in the inquiry and the terms of reference are quite narrow and they do not include the majority of community deaths.

“That is unacceptable, if they did it would be a vast number and in the opening speech, it was said it is more than 2,000 deaths as it stands.

“If you broaden the terms, I believe it will stick a nought on the end.”

Christopher Nota died in 2020Christopher Nota died in 2020 (Image: Julia Hopper) While Julia has said she lacks confidence the inquiry will actually create sweeping change, she believes the baring of the truth will “let the people of Essex decide”.

She said: “It has taken some very strong people in Essex to force this to happen, we are fighters in Essex and we won’t put up with this.”

After “pleading” for a meeting with secretary of state for health and social care, Wes Streeting, Julia will be meeting with him on October 17 alongside fellow campaigner Melanie Lehey who lost her son Matthew, 20, in 2012 in the Linden Centre.

The Lampard Inquiry has now been adjourned until November.