Hike to stop homicide

5:25pm Friday 4th July 2008

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THREE young campaigners will pass through Redbourn to mark the start of a five marathon trek to raise awareness of gun crime.

Taking part in the arduous hike, dubbed Steps To Atonement and Redemption (STAR), is Kio, 16, Mathieu, 23, and Shani, 34, all from the London area.

The trio will walk 131 miles from London to Birmingham - the equivalent of five marathons - over four consecutive days to highlight problems of inner city crime, poverty and under achievement of today's youth.

The group will begin their journey on August 26 in Mill Hill before travelling North towards the Shell garage in Redbourn.

Kio, said: "I see the walk as a vehicle and a positive step forward for young people, which could help change the whole mood of what is happening on the streets. To be involved in that makes me feel honoured."

Home office figures show there has been an 18 per cent increase of firearm related homicides in 2006-7 and 246 incidents of gun crime recorded between April 2007 and March 2008. It is frightening statistics like these which prompted the STAR project.

Oyin Solebo, project organiser, said: "By getting young people involved in the community, we can help to decrease or even eliminate some of the problems addressed by STAR. These problems cannot be solved just by adults - they need to be working alongside young people."

He added: "We decided the walk should be from one major city to another to raise awareness and grab people's attention.

So far, STAR have raised just under £2,000 for several charities tackling street crime, including From Boyhood to Manhood, 100 Mothers Movement and Yaa Asantewaa, the charitable arm of the African Caribbean Self Help Organisation.

You can make a donation to STAR online at www.thestarproject.co.uk