PREPARATIONS for Saturday's Edmonton Unity Peace March are underway, with celebrities and parents joining campaigning teenagers.

The march from Pymmes Park – organised by anti-knife crime group the Nelson Williams Foundation and youngsters from the Craig Park and Croylands youth centres – will culminate in an information event in Edmonton Green.

Teenagers hope that the rally will demonstrate that many young people in the area are standing against the postcode war that has knife and gun crime blight the area.

15-year-old Negus McClean was stabbed to death by a group of youths on bikes in April – an attack believed to be linked to the battle between gangs from the N9 and N18 postcodes.

Founder of the Nelson Williams Foundation, Hazel Williams, said: “I don’t know what the answer is to this sickness devouring our communities, but I know if it was an infectious disease something would have been done about it already.

“We know it is time for all families to stand together and say enough is enough. This is what triggered the incentive to move our words into action.”

The fact-finding event in Edmonton Green includes workshops for youngsters worried about guns and knifes, seminars for concerned parents, and talks by ex-gang members who have turned their back on crime.

Waking the Dead actor Wil Johnson and former Eastenders star Judith Jacob will join youngsters on the march, while there will also be performances by North London musicians including Crystal Celebrity, Desire McNeish and Floetic Lara.

The day starts at 10am at the corner of Sweet Briar Walk and Silver Street in Pymmes Park, while the event in Edmonton Green runs from 12pm – 5pm.

Volunteers and funding are still needed for the event. To get involved, call the Nelson Williams Foundation on 07904 290 155, the Craig Park Youth Centre on 0208 803 8292 or the Croylands Youth Centre on 0208 351 8320.