Stage set for teens’ anti-knife message (From This Is Local London)

Stage set for teens’ anti-knife message

11:09am Thursday 12th June 2008 in

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Four teens from a West Molesey youth centre are preparing to perform an anti-gun and knives song in front of thousands at the Emirates Stadium in north London.

Rachel Halliday, 18, Jay Olegario, 16, Jimmy Howells, 14, and Jack Burgoyne, 13, wrote the song after ex-offender Carl Homes, 21, was invited to Molesey Youth Group to talk about his past experiences inside prison.

Mr Homes spends one day a week at the centre helping the children produce the song, which they will perform on Sunday, June 29, as part of the You Have a Choice event at the Emirates Stadium.

The event aims to encourage youngsters to get involved in creative programmes, such as art, music and drama, instead of becoming embroiled in a life of crime.

Event organiser Natalie Mayhew, a youth worker at the centre, said: "There is so much talent from today's youth and I wanted to help them use this talent instead of living a life of crime.

"They need direction and support and that is exactly what You Have a Choice is here to do."

Rachel said: "The song shows the reality of what it is like on the streets. The song has a positive spin on it through our lyrics."

For more information, visit yhac.co.uk or myspace.com/youhaveachoice2008 .