On Friday, The Spurs Foundation hosted our annual tournament in memory of Godwin. Held at Aylward Academy in Enfield, this event brought together 160 young people from the local community and beyond, serving as a powerful reminder of the importance of our mission to prevent knife crime and keep Godwin’s legacy alive. Held at Aylward Academy in Enfield, this event brought together 160 young people from the local community and beyond, serving as a powerful reminder of the importance of our mission to prevent knife crime and keep Godwin’s legacy alive.
For the past 13 years, we have been honoured to work alongside the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation to spread the crucial message of anti-knife crime, using Godwin’s passion for football as a vehicle for positive change.
Yvonne, Godwin’s mum and founder of the Foundation, shared, “Since we launched, we’ve engaged 5,000 young people, and our partnership with Tottenham Hotspur Foundation has been instrumental in that. It’s incredible to see Godwin’s memory and his love for football bringing young people together to learn, play, and build their futures.”
The impact of the day was felt deeply by those who attended. Andreas, 14, reflected, “Instead of staying at home, I’ve been playing football with my friends and meeting other teams. Yvonne’s speech inspired me to think not only about football but also about life beyond the game.” Taliah, 12, added, “The speech from Yvonne meant a lot to me. Knife crime can end lives, and what we’re doing here in memory of Godwin is so important. I feel grateful and happy to be part of it.”
This tournament was more than just a day of football; it was a community effort. We were touched by the support of volunteers who took time off work to help, and by the involvement of organizations like the Met Police and Kick It Out, who ran engaging workshops alongside the games.
Clara, a member of the Young People’s Action Group that works with London’s Violence Reduction Unit, noted, “Events like this are so positive, especially in the summer when violence can spike. Knowing that funding supports initiatives like this, which create lasting, positive memories for these children, is incredibly encouraging.”
We were also honoured by the presence of Captain Peter Baker, Deputy Lieutenant for Haringey, who said, “It’s a privilege to support today’s event. Addressing the difficult issue of knife crime and helping young people make better choices is vital work, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who made this day possible. Together, we continue to honour Godwin’s memory by empowering young people and working towards safer communities.
#EndKnifeCrime #GodwinLawsonFoundation #YouthEmpowerment #CommunitySupport