Kicks Not Flicks anti-knife football tournament raising cash for the Ben Kinsella Trust
Rashi Alawiye at the Grenfell United charity football match last year. Picture: Flicks Not Kicks team - Credit: Archant
A cop has teamed up with the Ben Kinsella Trust and Arsenal FC to hold a football tournament against knife crime this Saturday in Queensland Road.
Ben Kinsella. Brooke said: 'I walk round the streets of Islington and see where he used to work, where he used to play football. Those moments creep up on you. You could be having a good day and then its a bad day.' Picture: PA - Credit: PA Archive/Press Association Ima
The 5-a-side charity games will kick-off at 12.30pm and all proceeds will go to the trust, a charity set up in 2008 after 16-year-old Holloway schoolboy, Ben Kinsella, was murdered.
Rasheed Alawiye, a detective in London’s criminal investigation department, came up with the idea for the Kicks Not Flicks tournament.
Det Alawiye, who was an early responder to the London Bridge terror attack last year, said: “I’ve seen first-hand the devastating consequences that knife crime can have on families and communities.
“The Ben Kinsella Trust has moved mountains in helping to tackle knife-related violence. We are delighted to be raising money for such a brilliant organisation and hope people will show their support in donating to Kicks Not Flicks.”
A charity football match raising money for the victims of Grenfell fire was held last year. Picture: Flicks Not Kicks team - Credit: Archant
Last month marked the 10th anniversary of Ben’s death, and his family led anti-knife activists on a 10k walk through Islington to honour his memory.
Patrick Green, ceo of the Ben Kinsella Trust, said: “Football is such a positive force in our society. It brings people together, breaks down barriers and improves health and wellbeing.”
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He added: “It is also a force in tackling social issues in society. Knife crime is now at it’s worst for over a decade. Too many young people have been victims or know someone who has suffered from this hideous crime.
“We are really pleased to see so many teams from across London coming together to show solidarity and help our work to stop knife crime. Ben loved football. He was a massive Arsenal fan and we are so proud to be part of this great event.”
Donate at justgiving.com/fundraising/kicksnotflicks
