A charity in memory of Connor Brown has been launched
The 18 year old was stabbed to death in 2019
A charity has been started in the memory of 18 year Connor Brown from Sunderland who was tragically killed in a stabbing in 2019.
The Connor Brown trust, which has been started by his family, aims to educate children and young people about the dangers of knife crime, and create a positive legacy in Connors name.
Tanya Brown, Connor's mum, told us that she hopes that the trust can give back to the community and help reduce knife attacks.
His mum said: "The people of Sunderland helped us so much when we lost Connor, and if it wasn't for them we don't know how we would've gotten through what we did. We just want to give something back to the community that helped us so much.
"Connors story did shock people in the North East and devastated a lot of people as well. That's why it's important to raise awareness around the dangers of knife crime. No one should have to feel the same pain and heartache we feel every day."
The Connor Brown trust aims to help families from low income families to access sport and youth clubs to teach young people discipline.
His family had hoped to launch to trust back in March of this year, around what would have been Connor's 21st birthday, but the coronavirus pandemic delayed the roll out.
In a statement from 2019, Brown's parents said: "Connor was the most wonderful son that any parents could have wished for. He lit up every room he walked in to, his smile was infectious and he was loved by so many people."
Leighton Barrass (left), 22, was jailed for life after stabbing Connor Brown to death over what Newcastle Crown Court was told was an argument over an alleged ÂŁ5 debt in February 2019.
Ally Gordon (right), also 22, was Barrass’ co-defendant and was jailed for three and a half years for manslaughter, having stamped and kicked on 18-year-old boxer during the attack.
Tanya Brown said: "We just want to make the streets safe for our young people to be able to go out and enjoy themselves, without having to worry about other people carrying knives and weapons."