Trio are walking back to happiness (From Haringey Independent)

Trio are walking back to happiness

8:10am Friday 5th September 2008 in

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A Tottenham teenager has returned from a 130-mile charity walk to help deter young people from violence.

Kio McKnight, of Chandos Road, travelled from London to Birmingham, with friends Shani Cadetti, 34, and Matthieu Milbourne, 23 during their walk of “hope, peace and dignity”, which was part of the Steps to Atonement and Redemption (STAR) project.

STAR aims to inspire young people, involved with knives and guns, to change their lives for the better.

The trio also wanted to challenge today’s negative stereotypes of young people through their epic journey — the equivalent of five marathons.

Kio, 16, said: “I did this walk because as a young person I am directly affected by the violence in our cities.

“My generation is half of the problem, but we can also be half of the solution.

“So instead of picking up a gun or a knife, I did this walk to show that young people are better than how we are shown in the media.”

Starting in Archway on August 26, the trio walked more than 30 miles each day for four days, before stopping to rest at night.

They arrived to a small welcome in Birmingham city centre at 6pm on August 29.

Mr Cadetti said: “This was one of the hardest things I have done in my life.

“I learned about sacrifice and team spirit and there were times when I felt I couldn’t walk another step.

“But my fellow walkers kept telling me not to forget why I was doing this.

“So if three ordinary people can do this, we think institutions like the Government should do their bit, by supporting organisations working in communities to bring an end to senseless violence.”

Money raised by the three walkers will go to help community organisations, including the Haringey-based youth programme Calling The Shots.

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