Godwin Lawson Foundation

The Godwin Lawson Foundation is a registered charity commemorating the life of Godwin Lawson. Set up to advance the education of young people so they can develop their capabilities as members of a tolerant society, we do this through personal development, educational and sporting activities that improve the self-esteem of young people; helping them develop a team spirit while also raising awareness of social issues and cultural diversity. On Saturday 27th March 2010, 17-year-old Godwin Lawson was walking home with his friends in North London when they were attacked by a group of men. The attack was unprovoked and when Godwin went to help his friends he was fatally stabbed. His life was abruptly taken away from all who knew and loved him. One of the most worrying factors in today’s “postcode wars” between gangs is when someone’s life becomes increasingly synonymous with affiliation to a gang. This means a significant number of young people are exposed to gang culture solely because of where they live. This can lead to isolation, ostracism, prejudice, and genuine fear of not being able to venture into certain areas of their borough or other parts of London without being attacked. We believe that early intervention can be a fundamental element in combating postcode and area rivalry on our London streets. The Godwin Lawson Foundation invests in young people who want to be part of positive community initiatives and helps them to develop so they can lead rich and fulfilling lives and contribute to a safer society.