£1.5m boost for youth safety as Godwin Lawson tournament returns to Tottenham
Mayor of London funds summer activities after 150 young players attend annual football event in memory of Enfield teenager
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A football tournament held in memory of a teenager killed in a stabbing has become part of a wider push to keep young people safe this summer. The Godwin Lawson Foundation and Tottenham Hotspur Community Foundation hosted 150 players at their annual event in Tottenham, which pairs matches with workshops on avoiding violence. The Mayor of London announced £1.5m in additional funding for similar activities across the capital on the same day.
Godwin Lawson was 17 when he was stabbed in Stamford Hill in March 2010. He had stepped in to protect friends during an attack. Moise Avorgah, then 20, was convicted of his murder in February 2011. Lawson, from Enfield, had played football at academy level and dreamed of joining Manchester United. His mother, Yvonne Lawson, set up a charity in his name after his death.
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Funding targets summer risks
The £1.5m announced by Mayor Sadiq Khan will expand youth safety programmes during the school holidays. The money comes from the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) and will fund activities run by 11 professional London football clubs. Lib Peck, director of the VRU, said the aim was to provide safe spaces where young people could connect with trusted adults and peers.
Deron Jayden, a former tournament player who now volunteers with the Godwin Lawson Foundation, said unstructured time increases risks. "When everyone’s outside, loitering also increases," he said. "A lot of people have bad intentions. You never know what someone could be doing behind you." The tournament, he added, offers an alternative to those dangers.
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It’s amazing to see so many young people from all walks of life coming together to play football in Godwin’s memory.
Yvonne Lawson, Godwin Lawson Foundation
What happens next
The £1.5m funding will support year-long partnerships between the VRU and football club charities. No specific dates have been set for future tournaments, but the Godwin Lawson Foundation said it plans to continue the event annually. Residents can check the foundation’s website for updates on workshops and registration.
Questions this report answers
+Who organises the Godwin Lawson football tournament?
The tournament is organised by the Godwin Lawson Foundation and Tottenham Hotspur Community Foundation. It honours Godwin Lawson, a teenager from Enfield who was stabbed in 2010, and includes safety workshops for young players.
+How much funding did the Mayor of London announce for youth safety?
Mayor Sadiq Khan announced £1.5m in additional funding for youth safety activities. The money will expand summer programmes run by the Violence Reduction Unit and 11 London football club charities.
+What happens at the Godwin Lawson tournament?
Around 150 young footballers from across the country play matches and attend workshops on staying safe. The event is held annually in Tottenham and is open to participants from various backgrounds.
+What is the Violence Reduction Unit’s role in the funding?
The Violence Reduction Unit will distribute the £1.5m to support year-long partnerships with football club charities. The goal is to provide safe activities and trusted adult supervision for young people during the summer.
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