We use cookies to enhance your visit. By continuing to browse you are agreeing to our use of cookies. About Our Cookies
Name: | Evans Amankwah |
Age: | 21 |
Year of the Fix: | 2008 |
Location: | Reading |
Campaign: | To make young people aware to the dangers of carrying a knife |
Knife-related crime is a scary reality for many young people today. I was personally affected when my friend Robert ‘Junior’ Spence died after being stabbed in 2008.
Everyone felt the pain of losing him and I decided to do something about it. We all felt that if it had happened to him, it could happen to us.
I wanted to change young people’s attitudes towards knife and gun crime, so following Junior’s death, myself and a group of other like-minded people formed ‘Youth Against Violence’.
With the help of Fixers, we staged an event, created a website and made a CD of music performed by other young people in the community. The proceeds of the event went towards getting Junior a headstone.
Here is a list of Fixers who helped me with my Fix:
Lucy Njuguna | Busola Adedire |
Hafsa Hakeem | Halima Aliyu |
Andrew Clovey | Jack Sealey |
James Walker | Caitlin Thomas |
Michael Knott | Maren Hotte |
Catherine Latto | Sam Gardener |
Sarah Kennewell | Grace Linstead |
Daniel Martin | Ali Tariq |
Carl Nzume Junior | Talisa Smith |
Romeo Boateng | Samson Asumda |
Brian Sakala | Iain Pilling |
Kudzayi Peter Mashingaidze | Martina Caiazzo |
Nadeem Mohammed | Chantal Faccletti |
Mark Reeve | Mark Andrew Curran |
Marvin Morgan | Kazia Grant |
Azem Oztemel | Olatunde Seye |
Reading MP Martin Salter, Member of the Home Affairs Select Committee
Martin welcomed submissions to possibly become part of the Government’s initiative on tackling knife crime.
John Ennis, Lead Councillor for Children's Services
A thank you to John who delivered a keynote speech at my Peace Campaign.
Speaking about the event, he said: 'It is a privilege to be able to attend and speak to young people about knife crime. I am impressed that young people who knew Robert [Spence] have got together to organise this important event and I am committed as Lead Councillor for Children's Services to assist them in working to convince others that carrying weapons is dangerous and can have lethal consequences.'
Youth Against Violence
Thanks to all the members of our group, who helped out on our campaign.
Thanks to the following people, who lent their support by attending a question and answer session during our peace event 'Veto Violence':
Reading MP Rob Wilson
Reading Area Police Commander Superintendent Steve Kirk
Head of Reading Youth Development Service Kirsten Car
March 2011
I was the winner of the South West Shout Award at the Vinspired national awards for my high profile campaign. The star studded evening also included Tinchy Stryder and Gabriella Cilmi. Watch the video here.
July 2010
My story was featured on The Big Fix Live, with actors portraying how lethal knife crime can be, and my TV piece broadcast to the live audience. You can watch the video here.
February 2009
I held a peace campaign, 'Veto Violence' in Reading that was attended by over 300 people.
Two MPs and Reading's Mayor also attended the event, along with Reading Area Police Commander Superintendent Steve Kirk and the Head of Reading Youth Development Service Kirsten Car.
Members of Robert Spence's family were also in attendance. The event was taken into consideration by a member of the Home Affairs Select Committee, who welcomed opinions from those in attendance about knife crime.
Ethan Mcinally
Tilly and Bella
Hannah Carter
'Kate'
Fern Lulham
Shak & Natasha
Fixers
Ben Simms
Alexandra Garrick
Timothy Cranfield
Jo Quinn
Lauren Taylor
Shannon Rawlings
Mary-Anne White and Lucy Wills
Macauley Collinson
Shano
Sam Womack
Becky
Becky Thorn
Jack H
'Ben'
Sam Barakat