Knife crusade inspired by murdered pal

01 December 2009

A TEENAGER alarmed at rising knife and gun crime is using T-shirts to launch a campaign to raise awareness of the issue.

Nineteen-year-old Sabrina Fernandes, known as Beanie, began the drive as part of an assignment for her foundation degree in Graphics.

She designed T-shirts carrying the message Making A Change Stop Knife Crime on a red backdrop depicting blood.

The killing of Stephen Lewis, whom Sabrina knew at Portway Primary School, Stratford, spurred her to start the crusade. Stephen, 15, was stabbed in Whitwell Road, Plaistow on January 24 after an anti-knife disco. Last week at the Old Bailey Chris Mazekelua, 17, of Hooper Road, Canning Town, was locked up for at least 17 years for murdering Stephen.

Barking College student Sabrina, of Terrace Road, Plaistow, is appealing for other people to join in with funding the campaign, buy the T-shirts and spread the message. Contact her via Facebook.