Unity march in Edmonton to stand against teen knife crime

The founder of the Nelson-Williams Foundation, who lives in Ponders End, felt she had to do something to help after 15-year-old Negus McClean was stabbed to death by a gang of youths on bikes last month.

Now the mother-of-seven is putting on the Unity Peace Rally on June 18, where she hopes concerned families will join her to march from Pymmes Park to Edmonton Green.

She said: “I don’t know what the answer is to this sickness devouring our communities, but we know it is time for all of us as families to stand together and say enough is enough.

“This is what propelled me into going from just saying it to actually trying to do something.

“What is important to me that my children are safe on the streets, and we want to show our youth some positive role models.”

The event will culminate with an information event for parents, with local youth organisations and theatrical performances providing advice and entertainment.

Mrs Williams said that the Craig Park and Croylands youth centres were on board and she had received backing from a local supermarket to sponsor the event.

She added: “Most parents don’t actually know what youth services are available, where to go or how to access support for their youth.

“Some youth appear to be disaffected from the community and actually feel no one cares – they need to have a voice but be shown how to use it in a manner which can be accepted by the wider community.

“The aim of this event is to bring together under one roof the relevant youth organisations, community enterprise, workshop facilitators and celebrity icons so families and their young people can get relevant details, and source help and information to assist in a mindshift.”

The campaigner said she needed volunteers to come forward to run information stands and steward the event, as well as any celebrities who want to back the message or provide funding.

To get involved, contact the Nelson-Williams Foundation on 07904 290 155.