Nine groups of young people have  received prestigious Awards to celebrate their achievements in memory of head teacher Philip Lawrence. The Philip Lawrence Awards, run in partnership with the Home Office and managed by 4Children, recognise the exceptional commitment of young people dedicated to transforming and improving their local communities. Coming in the run up to Christmas, this national and prestigious Awards Ceremony to honour young people was held in central London and hosted by Sir Trevor McDonald OBE, with the Rt. Hon Jacqui Smith MP, Home Secretary and Frances Lawrence.

The Philip Lawrence Awards were established in 1996 in memory of head teacher, Philip Lawrence, who was murdered whilst protecting a pupil outside his school. The Awards, run by children’s charity 4Children, has supported the positive work of over 1,000 young people across the UK and has attracted worldwide celebrity support in bucking the popular trend through celebrating and congratulating, rather than berating, young people – drawing the attention of adults everywhere to young people’s achievements rather than their shortcomings.

Frances Lawrence said:
"The Philip Lawrence Awards work from the premise that every young person can achieve great things if only they are given the chance, if they feel they are being valued and supported, challenged not patronised... A few days before he died, Philip wrote about his belief that every child is capable of greatness. Our Award winners demonstrate the enduring truth of his words."

Singing Star Lemar said:
"The Philip Lawrence Awards help encourage young people from across the country who contribute to their local communities and lives of others. This award show gives out a positive message on how young people can mentor other young people –showing how youth can all work together. Peace."

The Rt. Hon Jacqui Smith MP, Home Secretary, said:
"I am pleased to be associated with the Philip Lawrence Awards which yet again have recognised the work of young people from across the country. The winning teams have demonstrated how they are making a positive contribution to their communities. I hope others will be inspired by the example they set."

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The 2007 Philip Lawrence Award winners are:

Castlederg Youth Forum – improving inter-faith relations Motivated by the overwhelming extent of sectarian violence in the area, Northern Ireland group Castlederg Youth Forum brings together Catholic and Protestant young people to promote mutual understanding and improve relations between members of different faiths.

Community Challenge – fighting anti-social behaviour
Sheffield based youth group, Community Challenge, lobby community organisations to wage war on graffiti, vandalism and anti-social behaviour on their estate – issues which fuel huge anxiety among residents.

Dorchester Youth Extra – positive youth activities
Dorchester Youth Extra has developed and runs Dorchester SNAP Nights (Say No and Phone) – a Crimestoppers, anti-drugs initiative which combines a nightclub with advice and information support.

FACE – empowering vulnerable children
FACE, based in Dundee, works alongside Barnardo’s Scotland to raise awareness about sexual exploitation and the potential dangers young people may encounter. The group works hard to support young people’s efforts to seek help.

Friendly Faces – school based support
Friendly Faces is a school-based scheme to provide support for students in need. Initially set up as an anti-bullying scheme, Friendly Faces now provides a broad student support centre where students can access crucial support during break / lunch times.

Just Smile – combating bullying
Just Smile spreads the principle of ‘zero tolerance on bullying’ via their communications network, set up in both English and Portuguese. It involves running their own radio show and appearing on others, creating anti-bullying DVDs and managing a dedicated website.

Picture Box Youth Cinema – social enterprise
This entrepreneurial London group renovated its local youth centre into a cinema space designed especially for young people to offer them ownership of the space and the chance to develop valuable business skills. Its regular showings include screenings to support school texts and selected films to encourage participation among the elderly.

Shared Vision – empowering young women
These two Bradford based sisters provide a range of activities and support for young Asian and European women in their community to promote confidence, motivation and self-esteem among young local women and help them build better relations in the community.

Youth Action – promoting black and minority ethnic identities
Youth Action’s Mutual Respect project raises awareness and increases understanding among young people from various BME backgrounds about Asian veterans’ World War 2 experiences and explores issues of identity and heritage. The project expands on the history typically taught in schools and builds new understanding and tolerance between cultures.

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Find out more about The Philip Lawrence Awards

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Media enquiries
• For further information contact Julie Watkins on 020 7522 6928 / 0791 787 0641 or email

• Exclusive celebrity quotes and images are available on request.

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• Winning youth groups each receive £1,000 to help support their project.

• Over the last eleven years, the Philip Lawrence Awards have supported over 1,000 young people who are actively initiating, developing and delivering programmes of work to enhance their lives and the lives of others, in particular to help combat violence, vandalism, bullying and racism.

• The Philip Lawrence Awards is the largest scheme of its kind and recognises outstanding achievement among young people aged 11–20. The Awards are open to young people aged 11–20 from across the UK.

• The scheme is largely funded by a grant from the Home Office and is supported by teachers’ union NASUWT. The Awards Ceremony event is hosted by UCL and Bloomsbury Theatre.

• The scheme is managed by 4Children, the national charity that represents the needs of all children and young people and their families.

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