Knife crime campaign reaches Wear-Tyne derby

The families of knife crime victims will stand shoulder-to-shoulder at the Wear-Tyne derby

The families of knife crime victims will come together to deliver a powerful message at the Wear-Tyne derby this weekend.

North East teenagers Samantha Madgin and Connor Brown were murdered in separate knife attacks.

Their loved ones will highlight the devastating consequences of carrying a knife at the Newcastle United and Sunderland AFC match on Saturday.

Samantha's sister, Carly Barrett, said: "We want to unite our region and spread the message of no more knives."

Campaign

Supported by the Newcastle United Foundation and Sunderland AFC's Foundation of Light, the Knives Impact Everyone campaign will be highly visible at the derby match.

Victims' families will stand shoulder-to-shoulder on the pitch to raise awareness of the dangers of knife crime, while hard-hitting messages will be displayed on advertising stands at the Stadium of Light.

Samantha Madgin was stabbed to death in 2007.

Ms Barrett said her sister Samantha, who was murdered in 2007, at the age of 18, would be proud to see the work being done in her name.

Speaking on behalf of Samantha's Legacy, the campaign set up in her name, she said: "We are Samantha's voice now, she'd want us to do this work.

"It gives us a purpose to go on, and to know we are potentially saving and changing lives is so important to us and in keeping her memory alive."

Connor Brown was killed in Sunderland in 2019

Connor Brown, also 18, was killed after trying to defuse an argument outside a Sunderland pub in 2019.

His family launched the Connor Brown Trust after his death, to help young people and prevent knife crime.

They say Connor - "a huge Sunderland supporter" - would have been thrilled to see them deliver such an important message at the Stadium of Light.

His father, Simon Brown, said: "Connor was very passionate about Sunderland, everything was red and white for him.

"He would be so proud of everything we've done and absolutely buzzing about this game.

"His friends will be in the seats and he'll be with us - it will be a memorable day for our family, the Trust and the campaign."

Connor's mother, Tanya, added: "We need to make sure more people are aware of the dangers of knife crime and the impact it has - it really does impact everyone."

Connor Brown's parents, Tanya and Simon Brown, at the Stadium of Light

'Unimaginable'

The Knives Impact Everyone campaign was launched last year by police and crime commissioner Kim McGuinness and the Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit.

It aims to highlight the consequences of knife crime and signpost people toward support and advice.

Ms McGuinness said: "The Tyne-Wear derby is one of the biggest events our region will see, and the biggest rivalry in English football.

"Despite that, on the pitch we can all come together to unite against knife crime.

"I hope fans can get behind these families, as what they've experienced is unimaginable and they have [shown] real strength in telling their stories."

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