Leeds Youths March Against Knife Crime

fun and spiritual development, members of the public,

Wednesday, 15 November 2017

Young people from the Leeds branch of the Victory Youth Group (VYG) marched through the city centre from Regent Street to Dortmund Square on Saturday 21 October to boost awareness of gun and knife crime, and declare their opposition to it.

The march, which took place between 2pm and 5pm was organised in response to a knifing in central Leeds a month earlier, and set out to raise awareness of the growing number of gun and knife related crimes in the area.

A high spirited crowd of 150 youths and others from the UCKG HelpCentre, where VYG is based, was eager to show that just as people can decide to do wrong, so they can decide to do what is right. They also wanted to show that when someone is directly affected by a crime of this nature, not only does the victim suffer but so do others around them.

Shoppers and passers-by stopped the marchers to ask what it was about and after an explanation many members of the public joined in.

At the end, special guest Enio Guimarães shared his story about past affiliations with such activities and how the HelpCentre assisted him in changing his lifestyle. He said: “It was really positive, I had many people come to speak to me afterwards, they were inspired and even wanted to find out more about the UCKG.”

The organisers thank West Yorkshire police whose support and assistance with the event contributed a great deal towards its success from beginning to end.

ENDS

Notes to editors

UCKG is a Christian church and registered charity that offers a range of practical support activities alongside spiritual support and comfort. It reached the UK in 1995 and has gone from strength to strength, providing support and spreading the Christian faith through its branches in England and Wales.

VYG is the youth arm of the UCKG HelpCentre, and works to help young people develop their full potential. VYG started in the UK in 1996 and has been growing steadily ever since. Over 1,300 young people attend VYG meetings every week, sharing sessions that include practical teaching, fun and spiritual development.

For further information please contact the UCKG HelpCentre Press Officer via e-mail on press@uckg.org or direct line 020 7686 6033.