Liverpool: Sports Day for anti-knife crime campaign

The Knife Angel

Source: Jesuits in Britain

Faith Primary (Joint Church) School in Everton, which works in partnership with Saint Francis Xavier's Church Liverpool, recently organised a special fun sports day, to raise awareness of the Anti Knife Crime Campaign. The initiative has been highlighted through various events in the latest months across the City of Liverpool.

The day, funded by Saint Francis Xavier's Church through the Jesuit Fund for Social Justice, provided fun activities, guest speakers, hospitality and a healthy competitive football tournament. There were newly refurbished five-a-side pitches available in the school grounds. The children and staff of Faith Primary School kept two static bikes moving throughout the whole day - even Debbie, Pastoral Assistant at SFX Church Liverpool, joined in and, although it was just for few minutes, there is photographic evidence of the episode!

It was a great opportunity also to raise money for the local FoodBank at West Everton Community Council (WECC).

The event was inspired by the new national monument of the 'Knife Angel', which was displayed not long ago in Liverpool: a 27 foot high sculpture made of more than 100,000 knives, created as a memorial to those who lives have been affected by knife crime. The ironwork was sited within the ground of, arguably, the most impressive building in the city - the Anglican Cathedral. The children at Faith Primary School and their families visited this imposing scene between November 2018 and January 2019, before the sculpture was moved to Hull, and then continuing his tour across the country.

The staff at Faith Primary School, led by the enthusiasm and networking of Mr John Wade, were behind the planning for this wonderful informative and challenging day. The 'Real Men Don't Carry Knives' Group gave great awareness and understanding to the children about the dangers of knife crime and included the neighbourhood Boxing Club 'The Solly' to give some exercise workshops and advice. Year 5 children from the local primary schools were also invited. The programme concluded in the afternoon with a five-a-side football competition. The winners were presented with a trophy from professional Liverpool boxer Liam Smith.

Joseph, one of the young participants, said: "it was upsetting to see how knife crime can hurt so many people, especially families. Knives have been used when lads get so angry over stupid little things or they think they're just being hard!"

The parish and the school would like to thank you to all those involved. It is a shared desire that this community day of awareness and fun will become an annual event.