A MOTHER whose son was murdered more than a decade ago has launched a charity to alert youngsters to the dangers of carrying a knife.

Jo Rawlings established virtually single-handedly the Colin Igwe Trust in memory of her son Colin, who was just 18 when he was stabbed to death in the car park of a branch of McDonald’s in Malt Street, Rotherhithe, south-east London, on September 10 2003.

She said: “I had a strong feeling to do it because no parent should go through what I have gone through. It’s horrible.

“We have these kind of incidents every day and no-one knows who is going to be next.

“We’re working with young people to educate them about knife and street crime, and we’re working with parents about how to guide and help their children so they can say ‘no’ to knives.”

Qualified nurse Ms Rawlings moved to South Harrow in 2004 for the safety of the rest of her family.

Through the trust she will provide a counselling service for families, visit schools to speak to pupils and continue raising public awareness of the issue.

Ms Rawlings launched the trust at Harrow Civic Centre on Saturday in the presence of church groups, councillors and the Harrow Borough Commander Chief Superintendent Simon Ovens.

The Mayor of Harrow, Councillor Nana Asante, said: “Community can be a powerful force for change and good and I know Harrow has the capacity to turn things around so our streets become safe for our children regardless of their post codes or association – Harrow’s journey can be shared with other boroughs.”

Three teens were convicted of Colin’s manslaughter at the Old Bailey in December 2004 and later handed life sentences: Kirk Boreland, then 17, was ordered to serve a minimum of 11 years and cousins Corey Thomas and Dwaine Thomas, 18 and 17 at the time of the killing, both received seven year tariffs.

Ms Rawlings said: “Colin would be please to know that I’m trying to change lives and move people into the right direction.

“I have the motivation and I’m passionate about it.”

n Contact the Colin Igwe Trust via 07947 653330 or e-mail Jo Rawlings