Recognition/ Nominations Secondary Victims of violent crime conference was held on 23rd Feb 2010 in Central London. Awards presented at the event included: Investigative Team Presented to: D.I Barney Radcliffe D.S Kenny Windsor D.C Mark Shackel Nominated by: Nicola Dyer In 2008 Shakilus Townsend, 16, was beaten and stabbed in the chest by a large group of youths. The case became widely known as the honey trap murder. The gangs attack cost Shakilus his life. The investigation led to the arrest of seven youths, including the girl who had lured Shakilus to where the gang lay in wait. On the 8th of July 2009 the jury found that all seven defendants including the girl were jointly responsible for the fatal assault. They were all found guilty of murder. Shakilus' mother, Nicola, believes that the investigation team involved with her sons case worked tirelessly to gather and produce the evidence that would lead to these deserved convictions. Government Official Presented to: Danny Lafayette - Knife Crime policy advisor and Chairman of the NETWORK, the Home Office. Nominated by : MAMAA MAMAA have had close links with Danny over quite some years, and as an information portal he is invaluable to all third sector organisations, including all victim care/advocacy organisations. He is always helpful and often patient when groups like ours interupt his busy schedule, and remains patient even with us, when we steer other organisations toward him. Family Liaison Team Presented to: D.C Ian Gower D.C Tobi Shear-Smith Nominated by: Ann-Marie Williams On the 28th July 2009 Ann-Marie's 24 year old son Nathan, was shot as he sat in his car in south East London. As of yet the people responsible for Nathan's death have not been apprehended. Ann Marie clings to hope that one day her son's killers will be brought to justice. Ann-Marie believes her Family Liaison Officers, Tobi-Shear Smith and Ian Gower have gone beyond the call of duty. 'They have been fully supportive in both the investigation and on a personal level. They are understanding and forth coming. They keep me up to date with the investigation and reassure me when my days are dark. They have been a great source of strength to me and my family.' Victim Care Presented to: Lynne Booker - The Terry Booker Foundation Nominated by : MAMAA In November 2000, Lynne Booker's son Terry, was stabbed at the age of 19. Five years after Terry's death Lynne decided that she must do something to help other parents whose children have died in tragic circumstances. In her son's name, Lynne established the Terry Booker Foundation - A self support group for parents whose children have died of murder, in accidents, of natural causes or from suicide. The group has gone from strength to strength in the last four years and there are now over 200 members. Lynne has also 24 hour phone line - manned by her - and runs drop in groups in centres. Lynne dedicates the many hours needed to run this service voluntarily. Lynne also camaigns against knife crime and hosts a meeting in Nightingale Vale Youth Club in Woolich on the third Wednesday of each month. She also holds a rememberance service in her local church for parents to light a candle and put an angel on a tree at christmas time in rememberance of their lost children. Lynne now sits on the Independant Advisory Group for Operation Blunt and in 2007 she won a London Peace Award. Family Liaison Officer Presented to: P.C Lorna Gallimore - Dorset Constabulary Nominated by: Hazel Hayes In 2008, Hazel's 20 year old son Luke was stabbed in Bournemouth. Hazel believes that the support of her Family Liaison Officer has helped her get through the worst time of her life. Hazel says: 'The minute Lorna was appointment as my Family Liaison Officer she made herself available to me 24 hours per day that has continued throughout, nothing has been too much trouble. The support and care has been amazing' Campaigning for victims Presented to: Families Fighting For Justice Nominated by: MAMAA Many organisations find it increasingly difficult to campaign on behalf of victims. Time and capacity, and sometimes funding restrictions, prevent many from doing this. FFFJ are one of the few organisations who actively campaign on behalf of individuals and campaign jointly on the wider issues of changes in our justice system. After losing her two children in two seperate incidents, Jean Taylor wanted to try to change the law surrounding sentencing of murder and manslaughter in this country. She organised a petition, and this led her to other families who were fighting for the same thing or similar changes in law. After teaming up, these families handed in their petition to Downing Street, and shortly afterward FFFJ was established. The group hold marches and rememberance services, and have now established a drop in centre in their hometown of Liverpool. The Roger Costello Award for ' Making a Difference' When MAMAA was set up in 1993 a woman named Lyn Costello, along with many others, quickly became heavily involved. Those of us who are familiar with the work of the organisation know the dedication she has shown to the charity, and to a large extent she has received recognition and often thanks for the invaluable work she does for and with victims of violent crime. What only a handful of us know is that there was, behind the scenes, another person who dedicated his life and energies to MAMAA. Invaluable was the time he gave to the organisation. Invaluable was his financial contribution to the charity when organisations like MAMAA had little or no means of funding their work. He quietly supported victims, chauffeured volunteers, marched and waved banners. He quietly used his life savings, and cashed in shares and pensions to enable the charity to run. And for nine years, while remaining dedicated to the organisation he quietly braved his own fight against cancer. Some of you will have met him at last years conference, few of you would have known that he had a very short time left with us. And sadly on the 14th June 2009 Roger Costello passed away. It cannot go unsaid that two days before his death, he was supporting a recently bereaved mother on the telephone. We decided to dedicate an award in Rogers memory and as the bravery of families who found the strength to fight for change despite their own trauma, always amazed him, the award for making a difference will now be known as the Roger Costello Award for Making a difference. Presented to: Ann Ming Nominated by: Margaret Watson In November 1989, 22 year old Julie Hogg went missing. After three months Julie's body was found hidden behind a bath panel in her flat. Her mother Ann, was present when Julies body was finally discovered. Billy Dunlop was charged with murder and tried twice, but on each occasion the jury failed to reach a verdict and he was formally acquitted in 1991. Later he admitted he was guilty but, under the 800-year-old double jeopardy law, he could not be tried again. Ann Ming spent years campaigning for justice for her daughter, striving to change the law that prevented Dunlop from being tried and convicted. Finally, Ann achieved the change in that law and in 2005 Dunlop was jailed for life for Julie Hogg’s murder. The change in this law is a tremendous personal victory for Ann, but as we are all well aware, the change has and will continue make a difference as far as justice for many victims is concerned. The nomination process for 2011 conferene will open shortly, if you are interested in recieving a nomination form please e-mail your details to info@mamaa.org
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