Knife Crime Victim Support

Hi, my name is Cheri Curran and I am the Ambassador of an online charitable initiative called Knife Crime Victim Support.

In May 2018 my amazing, beautiful, talented, ambitious Son, Louis-Ryan Menezes was stolen from us by a teen with a knife,

Louis-Ryan was a talented motorbike mechanic with the ambition and plan to start his own business in Tenerife. We do not doubt that all of his dreams would have been achieved, but those dreams were tragically stolen from him and the loss and pain we feel within will never heal......It's through sharing my living pain and experience and becoming the ambassador of Knife Crime Victim Support, that I join our united passion to campaign for change in our communities

"KCVS" is one of the most prominent and active Anti Knife Crime groups across the UK. I became friends with KCVS founder Quinton, two years ago, when we first met in person at an anti-knife crime march in Wellingborough. We soon found that we had the same passion and common objectives - A passion for change and a determination to make a difference.

For more than four years KCVS have worked tirelessly to support those in the Community that have been affected by Gang Activity, Child Criminal Exploitation, Knife Crime, Gun Crime and other forms of Serious Youth Violence.

Founded in January 2019 "KCVS" is deeply committed to Alternative Provisions, preventative work and Early Intervention Initiatives locally and nationally. Our team consists of qualified Youth Workers, Musicians, Teachers, Social Workers and Professional Youth Mentors. Importantly the team share the same heartfelt passion: A real and sustained commitment towards reducing Knife Crime & Serious violence in their respective communities and across the UK.

As part of our continued educational approach, we aim to further support and assist Teachers, Caregivers, Practitioners, Youth Offending Teams, Victim Support Groups and other like-minded Professionals. In recent years we have positioned ourselves as advocates of a shift towards improving safety awareness and informed decision-making in children, young people and vulnerable adults. Our "Focus Mode" (Choices & Consequences) workshops have been utilised by Schools, County Councils, Police Forces, Charities and Youth Organisations, with widespread media coverage across BBC, ITV, Daily Mirror, Daily Telegraph & other localised outlets. (Pic: Knife Crime Victim Support Founder Quinton talks to BBC Look East)

We have seen the devastating effects that Knife Crime & Serious Violence has on Families in Villages, Towns & Cities across the Country. The ripple effects are unimaginable. We have supported Mothers that have lost Sons, Siblings that have lost Brothers or Sisters, Grandparents, Cousins & Friends of Victims.

Cheri Continues: When I lost my Son, Louis-Ryan Menezes to Knife Crime in 2018. He was just 17 Years Old. I am determined to continue our joint campaign, in the hope that other Families don't go through the same pain and despair that my family and I are going through. "We miss him, it's physical, we can feel his loss, life will never be the same"

Or practitioners draw on lived experience to relate with Children & Young People that are considered hard to reach. It's important to us that we reach as many people as possible, whether it's in Schools, Youth Clubs and Pupil Referral Units. Our message is one of empowerment, encouragement & motivation, with a focus on resilience, self-awareness and emotional intelligence. All of these are "protective factors" that have been proven to reduce risky behaviour. As a team, we make every effort to lift the fallen, restore the broken and discourage the discouraged.

We are raising funds to help:

Continue our Workshops in the Community (See Video Below)

Provide kit (e.g boxing gloves, athletics and football kit)

Sponsor Young Person/Persons to help them with Sports Membership fees

Produce a KCVS Safety Awareness Poetry & Illustration Book

Enhance our Mentoring & Coaching Sessions

Divert Young People From Gangs

Support Vulnerable Parents

Collaborate with other Charities - eg Football Tournaments, family days events, Music Production, Theatre Production

An Example Of Our Community Empowerment Workshops ...

We connect with 1 to 1 workshops, engage with small targeted groups and deliver large assemblies type presentations to groups of over 100+. Since 2021 we have delivered Safety Awareness/Resilience/Mentoring Sessions to over 100,000 Children AND Adults

A recent evidence-based report led by Council Leaders and Police Officers including a Chief Inspector and a Project Development Manager found that the Young People Knife Crime Victim Support / MMAP Workshops had connected with, demonstrated

• A Reduced risk level for involvement in serious violence and gang activity

• Improved Mental Wellbeing

• Increased self-confidence & self esteem

• A stronger sense of resilience and self-worth

• A newfound sense of hope and aspiration

• Awareness of opportunities and alternatives to criminal activity

• Stronger relationships with parents, teachers and peers

• Improved interpersonal skills

• Healthier relationships and lifestyle choices

• Better academic performance

We are a trusted, charitable initiative that has connected with thousands of people of all backgrounds and ages - Engaging individuals and groups in workshops that result in very real outcomes, rehabilitation and transformative behaviour..

ALL funds raised will be used to continue our charitable work with Schools, Pupil Referral Units, Charities, Youth Organisations, Community Centres & More.

Support our Fundraiser Today

Note* Knife Crime Victim Support is followed by 27000 people online. We offer authenticity, transparency, & assurance. KCVS will provide regular updates regarding expenditures as part of our pledge to offer clarity throughout.

Please share our fundraiser with friends & family. You can do your part to support us now.

visit our website for more information KCVS & MMAP Workshops Online

With Gratitude

Cheri & The KCVS Team