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Fundraising event for the Letisha & Charlene Education Awards
Jul 14 2009 by Andy Richards, Birmingham Mail
TASTY treats were on sale when university staff staged a special funding-raising event for the Letisha and Charlene Education Awards Scheme.
The event was held by Birmingham City University as part of its second annual Learning & Teaching Festival.
Cake and plant stalls formed part of the fete at its Perry Barr campus last week which raised around £350.
Other stalls were less traditional with one having a health focus where visitors could check their blood pressure and find out how to resuscitate a patient.
Dr Celia Popovic, head of Educational Staff Development at the Centre for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching said: “Staff from across the university joined in the fun.
“The university is proud of its reputation as an institution that takes learning and teaching very seriously.
“This festival allows teachers to share their work with each other, to celebrate success and to learn from one another.
“It is supported by the senior management team who funded the events and have encouraged all staff to attend.”
The Letisha and Charlene Education Awards Scheme has helped more than 40 young people, many from north Birmingham, achieve their career goals.
Since it started three years ago the scheme has distributed more than £80,000 to help young people in memory of Letisha Shakespeare and Charlene Ellis, who were shot dead in Aston in 2003, the innocent victims of a gang war.
Their mums, Marcia Shakespeare and Bev Thomas, said: “This is the second year running that Birmingham City University has helped the award scheme and we are very grateful.”
“At a time when things are so tough economically, it is particularly kind of people to support the awards.”
Hippodrome hip hop tribute show for Letisha and Charlene
Jun 8 2009 by William Oliphant, Birmingham Mail
A FULL house turned out to honour the memory of gun-crime victims Letisha Shakespeare and Charlene Ellis at a “hip hop showcase” at Birmingham’s Hippodrome.
The We’ve Been Blessed show, at the Hippodrome’s Patrick Centre, was organised by Rochelle Robertson from Edgbaston, to raise money for the Letisha and Charlene Education Awards scheme.
Rochelle is one of more than 40 young people who have been given cash from the scheme to help further educational goals.
“I just wanted to give something back to the scheme because it helped me,” said the 22-year-old who hopes to inspire young people to avoid becoming involved in gun crime.
Rochelle, a student at Aston Manor School at the same time as Letisha and Charlene, was given money to help with travel and books for her studies in youth work at De Montfort University. She received a grant from the Birmingham Community Foundation to help put on the Hippodrome event.
“Because I’m a youth worker I know quite a lot of talented young people that helped me to pull it all together,” she said.
“We were really pleased with how it went. We had a full house and everything was really successful.”
The show featured dancers, singers, speakers and comedians as well as Mercury Prize-nominated musician Soweto Kinch. Rochelle expects to bring in several hundred pounds for the award scheme.
Since it started three years ago the scheme has distributed more than £80,000 to help young people achieve their career goals in memory of Letisha and Charlene, who were shot dead in Aston 2003, the innocent victims of a gang war.
Their mums, Marcia Shakespeare and Bev Thomas, said: “It takes a lot of effort to arrange events like this and we are so very grateful to Rochelle and to those who took part. The money raised will go towards helping other young people achieve success in their careers.”
http://www.birminghammail.net/news/birmingham-news/2009/06/08/hippodrome...
Mums of Letisha Shakespeare and Charlene Ellis set up charity
Sep 2 2008 By Gary Marks
PARENTS are being advised today on how to spot if their child is in a gang by a charity set up by the mothers of two Birmingham gun victims.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith speaks later today at the launch of the New Year Shooting Memorial Trust in Birmingham.
The trust has been set up by Beverley Thomas and Marcia Shakespeare, whose daughters died in a drive-by shooting in Aston in January 2003.
Ms Smith was also endorsing the Letisha and Charlene Education awards, which has been running for almost three years.
That scheme, backed by the Birmingham Mail, helps young people achieve their career goals by awarding bursaries and has distributed almost £50,000 to two dozen people.
Today’s launch of the NYS Memorial Trust coincides with the publication of a booklet which talks parents through practical steps they can take if they think their child is in a gang and how to stop them getting involved in gang culture.
It suggests looking out for the teenager using new or unusual slang words, using a new nickname and suddenly acquiring new possessions or money.
Parents are advised to be involved in their child’s life, to know their friends and their friends’ families, and to encourage them to get involved in positive pastimes and activities.
The booklet advocates listening to a child’s reasons for being in a gang and talking through the consequences instead of issuing orders.
It was developed with the help of the Association of Chief Police Officers, councils and parenting organisations like the Family and Parenting Institute and community groups including Mothers Against Violence.
Ms Smith said: “All parents worry about keeping their children safe – and need support to help them to do it. They need to know how to spot if their child is involved in a gang and where to turn if they are concerned.”
Gangs: You And Your Child will initially be distributed in areas involved in the Government’s Tackling Gangs Action Programme – London, Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham.
Letisha Shakespeare, aged 17, and Charlene Ellis, 18, were the innocent victims of a gang attack outside a New Year party.
http://www.birminghammail.net/news/top-stories/2008/09/02/mums-of-letish...
Winners pick up Letisha and Charlene Education Awards
May 19 2008
THE winners of the Letisha and Charlene Education Awards reflect a new confidence about their futures as they explain how the awards have helped them move a step nearer to fulfilling their career dreams.
Single mum Haley Weir, aged 19, from Ladywood, is studying social care and health at Solihull College and hopes to work with young people.
She said: "I was brought up in care myself, so I know what it's like to be in that situation. Without this award I simply wouldn't have been able to keep up with my education.
"My son suffers with severe asthma, so the money has enabled me to buy a laptop. Now, if he is in hospital, I can still work while he has treatment."
Natalie Clarke, aged 19, from Newtown, has just passed a web design and graphics course with distinction at South Birmingham College.
She said: "I had dropped out of college, but this award inspired me to go back. If it wasn't for this scheme I would never have had the courage to return."
Polly Beale, aged 31, from Ladywood, who is studying health and social care, said: "I was really struggling with my course because I am a bit dyslexic, but this award has meant I could buy a computer.
"My career aim when I qualify is to manage my own rest home for the elderly."
Mum-of-three Sandra Golding, from Aston, said: "This award has raised my confidence and self esteem. It's helped me tremendously with my travelling costs and my studies for an MA."
Shakira Khatun, aged 20, from Aston, who is studying sociology at Coventry University, said: "I just want to say a big thank you for this award. It's helping me to realise my dreams."
Professional basketball hopeful Kofi Josephs, aged 16, is still at Holyhead School in Handsworth, but he already has his career mapped out - right up until the 2012 Olympics. After his GCSEs he hopes to study in America and go on to university.
He said: "This award is helping me to realise my dreams. Without it I wouldn't have been able to travel or buy equipment for my trials. It has helped me to focus on the Olympics."
Nikesha Bassue, aged 23, who is studying for a degree in sociology, said: "I can't thank Letisha and Charlene's families enough for helping me.
"Without this award I would have had to work full time, so my studies would have suffered."
Joanna Grant, aged 23, from Aston, who is studying business and management at Birmingham City University, said: "I owe a big thank you to the scheme and Letisha and Charlene's families.
"I would like to continue to support the scheme and help the next award winners. I hope one day to become a teacher."
Other winners include:
* Jushna Begum, aged 22, from Aston, who is doing education studies at Wolverhampton University.
* Dean'a Comrie, aged 17, from Newtown, studying business and retail.
* Renardo Farrell, aged 16, from Nechells, studying for his A levels at South Birmingham College.
* Nour Uddin, aged 28, from Witton, studying at Matthew Boulton College.
* Tennesa Young, aged 21, from Aston, studying business management at Telford Business School.
* Errol Lawson, aged 27, from Aston, is a youth pastor.
* Yahla Diler, aged 19, from Aston, is doing a graphic design course at Matthew Boulton College.
* Lyam Crosdale, aged 21, from Aston, is studying business and management at Birmingham City University.
http://www.birminghammail.net/news/birmingham-news/2008/05/19/winners-pi...
Mums meet with Home Office
Jan 10 2008 By Poppy Brady
HOPES of creating a national weapons amnesty day could become reality after the Home Office held talks in Birmingham with the mums of gun victims Letisha Shakespeare and Charlene Ellis.
Marcia Shakespeare and Bev Thomas have been campaigning for an annual amnesty ever since their teenage daughters were shot dead at a New Year party in Aston in 2003.
The scheme has the backing in London of Richard Taylor, the father of 11-year-old Damilola , who was knifed to death in 2000.
Richard, Marcia and Bev have formed a close bond, united by the tragedy of losing their children in appalling street crimes which shocked Britain.
Now they are optimistic that the Home Office will grant their plea for an amnesty to be held on or around January 2.
This marks the date of Letisha and Charlene's deaths on January 2, 2003, when they were sprayed by machine gun bullets in a drive-by shooting, innocent victims of a gangland feud.
Both mothers met previous Home Secretaries David Blunkett and John Reid as their campaign has gained ground.
Current Home Secretary Jacqui Smith responded quickly to their letter before Christmas and arranged for a Home Office official to travel from London to discuss the idea.
Sandra Shakespeare, Letisha's aunt, who has also been involved in the talks, said: "We hope our dream of remembering victims of gun and knife crime all over Britain will become a reality. Our talks with the Home Office official were positive and upbeat.
"A date at the beginning of each year would be appropriate for people wanting to make a fresh start in their lives, giving them the chance to hand in any weapons."
Marcia Shakespeare said: "The murders of our daughters was one of the worst crimes ever witnessed in Birmingham. We need to make sure this never happens again either here or in any other city."
The mums would like to see a service held on the amnesty day, possibly in Westminster or Birmingham, where victims of violent crime and their families could be remembered.
A Home Office spokesman said: "The Government is committed to tackling gun, gang and knife crime.
"Last September, the Home Secretary established the Tackling Guns Action Programme with Birmingham, Manchester, London and Liverpool the focus of renewed action to tackle serious violence among young people.
"We recognise the valuable role held by communities and welcome ideas from the front line. That is why we have provided a total of £1.75 million to more than 300 community groups to date through the Connected Fund." n Marcia, Bev and Sandra are also playing a major role in the Letisha and Charlene Education Awards, backed by the Birmingham Mail, Aston Pride and Sutton College. This year the scheme is awarding up to £35,000 to 16 young people to help them achieve their career goals.
http://www.birminghammail.net/news/birmingham-campaigns/letisha-and-char...
Designs on a joint future with Letisha and Charlene Education Awards
Jan 2 2008 By Poppy Brady, Birmingham Mail
THE world of work can be a very daunting one after student life, but these two budding entrepreneurs are hoping their joint printing venture will spell out success for 2008.
Graduate Mohammed Rahman and student Azijul Hoque are joining forces after meeting when they were among the first of six young people to win one of the Letisha and Charlene Education Awards.
The awards, backed by the Birmingham Mail, Aston Pride and Sutton College, were launched in 2006 as a living memorial to tragic teenagers Charlene Ellis and Letisha Shakespeare, who were shot dead outside a New Year's Day party in Aston five years ago.
Each award gives a £2,000 bursary to hard-up students in memory of the teenagers.
Now Mohammed and Azijul,who are both 21 and from Aston, say the encouragement they received through the awards has given them the confidence they needed to try to start up their own business.
Azijul, who is in a work placement year while studying industrial product design at Coventry University and currently doing temporary work in Debenhams, said: "Both Mohammed and I are keen designers and have a sound knowledge of the design process.
"Between us we have a great deal of experience in designing posters, flyers, letterheads and brand identity."
Mohammed graduated in the summer with a degree in computer science from Warwick University. He is currently working as a bartender while seeking graduate jobs.
He said: "With our business we are hoping to offer people the complete printing package while we outsource the printing side of it ourselves.
"Being part of the Letisha and Charlene Awards gave us the confidence to set this up. We had to meet so many different people. At first it was quite daunting, but everyone gave us so much encouragement. We were so proud to be among the first winners."
http://www.birminghammail.net/news/birmingham-news/2008/01/02/designs-on...
Damilola dad praises awards
Mar 29 2007 By Poppy Brady, Birmingham Mail
THE father of murdered schoolboy Damilola Taylor has praised the proposed expansion of an awards scheme set up as a living memorial to teenage shooting victims Letisha Shakespeare and Charlene Ellis.
Richard Taylor, whose ten-year-old son Damilola was murdered seven years ago in London, has formed a strong bond with Bev Thomas and Marcia Shakespeare, the mothers of the tragic Birmingham teenagers.
And he was at Aston Villa FC to meet them and advise agencies, schools and colleges who joined a special consultation on how to expand the Letisha and Charlene Education Awards to include "harder to reach" young people across a wider area of Birmingham.
Last year six hard working students from Aston became the first people to each benefit from the awards' £2,000 bursary scheme, which is backed by the Birmingham Mail and Aston Pride.
More than a dozen agencies including the Holy Trinity Community Project, the West Midlands Probation Service, Birmingham Youth Service, Aston Christian Centre, Connexions, Job Centre Plus, St George's Post 16 Centre, City College and Holte and Aston Manor schools joined the brainstorming session.
Marcia said: "It is very encouraging to see how supportive the community is being about these awards, but it's also good to see how many organisations are already out there helping young people in their own way."
Letisha's aunt Sandra Shakespeare added: "Many young people need a second chance to find their way in life. Sometimes people make a mistake when they are young. The expansion of these awards will help them move on."
Mr Taylor said: "Damilola always said he wanted to be a doctor, so as part of the Damilola Trust we set up the Access to Medicine scheme to help young students."
The expanded award scheme is likely to be announced in May.
http://www.birminghammail.net/news/birmingham-campaigns/letisha-and-char...
Sir Trevor to open tribute to girls
Jun 22 2006 By Poppy Brady, Birmingham Mail
A PEACE garden dedicated to murdered teenagers Charlene Ellis and Letisha Shakespeare is nearly completed and will be officially opened in September by former ITN news anchorman Sir Trevor McDonald.
The girls' mums Bev and Marcia have chosen two roses which will have pride of place in the garden in the grounds of St George's Post 16 Centre, in Hockley.
It's an appropriate place as the popular teenagers were members of the youth club there before their lives were tragically cut short in a shooting at a New Year's Day party in Aston in January 2003.
Both families of the girls have united to work on the garden to create their own tiles which will form a giant mosaic. Hundreds of local people have also included their own designs.
The garden project is the idea of St George's Centre director Dr Bob Tyler and its Romanesque Gothic design was created by Paul Williamson, a former head of art when the centre was a school.
Marcia Shakespeare said: "We're so grateful to Bob, Paul and everyone who has put so much thought and care into this project. Our girls would have been so proud to see it and it's a place where I will want to come and spend time.
"When we lost our girls many people promised us things, but Bob has stood by us and kept to his word. The fact that we even chose these roses ourselves makes us feel very involved. We had a brilliant day choosing them."
Bev Ellis added: "This garden and the Letisha and Charlene Education Awards organised with the help of the Birmingham Mail as a living tribute to our girls are two positive things to come out of their deaths."
The mothers went to the David Austin rose centre, in Wolve-hampton, with Dr Tyler where the centre donated two peach coloured English roses called Crown Princess Margareta.
Dr Tyler said: "The garden will include a mix of colours and something for every month of the year. It will be a tactile garden full of scent and colour and food for birds and bees.
"The public will be able to visit it as access will be through the college. We're also looking for local people who would like to help us finish off the tile mosaics before the opening on September 6."
http://www.birminghammail.net/news/birmingham-campaigns/letisha-and-char...
