Knife Crime Appeal

Dear All,

My name is Ann Oakes-Odger...the unprovoked fatal stabbing of my Son Westley Odger in 2005 is the reason that KnifeCrimes.Org was founded, a National organisation, based in Essex.  As a direct result the writer's campaign www.KnifeCrimes.Org/knife-crime-petition.html Knife Murder Sentences was increased from 15 to 25 years, School Weapons Awareness Education Programmes, Training and other Anti-Knife Crime Projects now a Government focus...we work callaboratively with the Home Office, Police, Crimestoppers and other Agencies to help reduce Violent Crime.

I am now committed through our organisation to achieving enhanced Rights for all Victims' families, bereaved by Homicide...not just knife murders, however, we need funds to continue to campaign and help families through the KnifeCrimes.Org Online Resource.  To this end we are taking part in many fund-raising activities, the most imminent is the British 10k Run in London on Sunday 11th July, 2010.

A number of runners including Westley's sister Rachael are helping to raise funds...we would be most grateful if you could support us by donating any small amount here: http://original.justgiving.com/RachaelOdger

I know that we are in a recession and looking at many cut-backs!  With Police funding cuts being one of those areas potentially on the hit list, it is more important than ever that we help reduce the number of Victims' families suffering the immense trauma of burying a child or loved-one through Homicide.  It is important also to use the Legal Aid budget more effectively by calling for at least 10% of the budget to help Victims.  We need to shift the emphasise to help Victims more...to help redress the balance of our Criminal Justice System, a system which is currently helping wrongdoers succeed in huge Human Rights Act litigation and payouts, whilst failing the innocent Victims' familes who cannot afford to access their rights under the Act...

We work with families who are traumatised by the murder of a child and loved-one who are, at every anniversary, effected by Appeals, Prison releases of the Perpetrators and many other issues, who have also experienced family breakdown, loss of health, death of another family member or a downward spiralling into alcohol abuse or even crime...as a direct result of a Homicide.  These are just some of the issues faced by families...please help us to change this.

Thanking you for taking the time to read this Newsletter...

Yours faithfully,

Ann (Oakes-Odger)
Founder/CEO (www.KnifeCrimes.Org)
KnifeCrimes.Org & Westley's Weapons Awareness
Winsley's House
High Street
Colchester
CO1 1UG

Tel: +44(0)7913 584260 or +44(0)1206 512445