Tottenham boy walks for change

2:53pm Tuesday 26th August 2008

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Hoping to challenge negative stereotypes of young people, a Tottenham schoolboy has set off on an epic journey that will see him cover 131 miles on foot.

Kio McKnight, 16, alongside two friends, will walk the equivalent of five marathons as he travels from London to Birmingham in an effort to raise money for community organisations like Haringey-based youth programme Calling The Shots.

Dubbed the Steps to Atonement and Redemption (STAR) project, the walk of "hope, peace and dignity" aims to inspire young people involved with knives and guns to change their lives.

Kio said: "I’m doing this because as a young person I am the ones affected by the violence in our cities. My generation is half the problem but we can also be half of the solution.

"So instead of picking up a gun or a knife I am going to do this walk to show that young people are better than what is shown in the media."

From the starting point in Archway, over the next four days the trio will use Englands A-roads as a guide and walk more than 30 miles each day before stopping for a rest at night.

They expect to arrive in Birmingham on Friday, August 29.

Wood Green resident Reverend Gavin Jacobs, a Calling The Shots mentor, said: "Listening to Kio speak gave me goosebumps. Here is a young man who really wants to bring about change and I am happy to be here to support his cause."

To pledge your support visit thestarproject.com to make a donation.