Local children take a stance against knife crime as part of #iwill week
Pupils from Whitefield Primary School in Anfield joined forces with students at Kirkby CofE School this week to make a stand against knife crime in their local communities.
The groups met to help raise awareness of the issue as part of the LFC Foundation’s participation in the #iwill campaign.
The programme aims to make participation in social action the norm for young people under 20, whether that be through volunteering, fundraising, mentoring or campaigning.
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The year six student groups took part in an anti-knife crime protest walk together in the Kirkby area readied with banners and posters.
After the walk finished, James Riley from GANGS (Get Away 'N' Get Safe) delivered an interactive session in the school hall, which both groups took part in.
GANGS is an educational prevention programme that aims to empower young people to make the right decisions by taking control of their future and rejecting the gang lifestyle.
Jack, aged 10, who is a pupil at Kirkby CofE school, said: “It’s about spreading the word to stop knife crime because it’s a real big issue. It goes with any type of crime, children can speak up about this, it will have a bigger effect.
“If no one else will do it, we will. It will only get worse and we want to prevent it. We hope that other children may see it and be inspired too.”
Steven, aged 11, a student from Whitefield Primary School, said: “We can make a difference, if we are willing to put in the effort. We are aware of these issues in our community.
“Before #iwill, I would consider myself a bit selfish but now I feel good that I can give back to our community. I’ve always wanted to help people.”
Alex Jones, #iwill programme manager said: “#iwill is all about empowering young people to connect to their communities. Everyone has the power to make a positive difference.”
“It’s exciting to see how creative, energetic and positive the young people are and connected to their own community. #iwill helps kids understand the issues they may face and how we collectively can tackle them and make a difference.
“The power of our club, both globally and locally means that our team wearing the crest makes a massive difference. They want to be a part of what we do. For the LFC Foundation, it's about our community spirit, about giving back locally and enabling young people to be a part of the LFC Family."
The LFC Foundation’s #iwill social action programme forms part of the national #iwill campaign, which was launched in 2013 by HRH the Prince of Wales.
Their #iwill programme will work with 21 local schools (12 primary and nine secondary) and youth and community groups to inspire children and young people to make positive contributions to their local communities, the environment and society as a whole.
With a total project fund of £1.25 million, which is funded 50 per cent by the LFC Foundation and 50 per cent match funded by #iwill, the investment will deliver a three-year project engaging more than 5,800 individual children and young people aged 10 to 14.