Since the Trust was founded in 2008, it has managed to do some amazing work and has been responsible for some great changes and achievements in the battle against knife crime.
The Ben Kinsella Trust marched in The People’s March in September 2008, where hundreds of people from both the North and South of London joined forces to hold a peace rally in Hyde Park to promote awareness against knife crime. This march then led to the formation of Families UTD, which Ben’s family are founding members of, that links up families across the country who have lost loved ones to violent crime and then offers support, advice and the chance to get involved and make a difference.
Members of the Trust regularly visit various schools and organisations across the country to tell the story of Ben in the hope that it will make people think twice about violence and the devastating effect it can have on a family and a community/ The messages of support and declarations and promises to not carry weapons from the people they talk to are a testimony to the impact Ben’s story has.
The Ben Kinsella Trust has also given out awards in Ben’s name in their local community, awarding young people who work hard and contribute to their community.
The biggest achievement for the Trust was managing to change the law in March 2010. After campaigning for the minimum sentence for murder of a knife to be raised, Secretary of State for Justice Jack Straw declared that it would be lifted from 15 years to a 25 year start point. This law is commonly known as ‘Ben’s Law’.
Members of the Trust have also received the following awards: Cosmopolitan Magazine Woman of The Year, News of the World’s Children’s Champions, Breakthrough Inspirational Women of the Year.
