Knife campaign nominated for award (From Haringey Independent)

Knife campaign nominated for award

8:53am Wednesday 26th November 2008 in

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A teenage campaign to deter young people away from crime has been nominated for a national award.

Value Life, an anti-knife crime initiative organised by Gladesmore Community School in Tottenham, is shortlisted for the awards set up in memory of murdered headteacher Philip Lawrence.

In July this year hundreds of young people from Gladesmore and neighbouring schools marched through the streets of Wood Green to protest against knife crime.

The Value Life initiative was set up in 2003 by nine students and two members of staff at Gladesmore School, in Crowland Road, Tottenham. In the past five years it has been committed to campaigning and educating Haringey's young people about gun and knife crime.

Last week the campaign was announced as a finalist in the Philip Lawrence Awards, a national awards scheme to celebrate outstanding contributions made by young people to the community.

Teacher and organiser Lee Carryl said: “Our nomination means a lot to the students. We’ve been delivering campaigns since 2004 and being nominated for this prestigious award, it’s a validation of all their hard work. It’s very good for the young people’s confidence.

“Our young people see there’s a need in the community and they are willing and prepared to get out there and make a change.”

Annaka Pinto, 17, was a sixth-former at the school when she was shot dead outside the Swan pub, in Philip Lane, Tottenham, in June last year.

But Mr Carryl says their campaign is about more than Annaka’s death. He said: “We were touched by that in a more direct way. But it’s a bit wider than that. It’s about looking at all the other cases that are still unresolved.”

Now in their 12th year, the awards are in memory of headteacher Philip Lawrence who was tragically murdered whilst protecting a pupil outside his school.

Home secretary, Jacqui Smith, said: "I am delighted to be associated with the Philip Lawrence Awards which recognise the inspiring achievements of our youth.

"Year after year entrants demonstrate the positive contribution young people across the country are making to enhance their communities. I know the vast majority of young people are on the right track, and hope they will be inspired by the example offered by award winners.”

The awards will be held next week. Mr Carryl added: “It’s going to be absolutely smashing. If we win it or if we don’t, the meer fact we’ve been nominated is a real boast for the young people.”