WIREDGOV

Over 400 young people, their families, local charities and voluntary groups came together in a show of support and respect for the Grenfell community, at a youth festival held on Saturday 19 August at Westway Sports Centre, opposite Grenfell Tower.

People from North Kensington, and the neighbouring boroughs of Brent, Fulham, Hammersmith and Westminster, were invited to enjoy a football tournament, performances and family activities.

The tournament involved 16 teams from across the five boroughs aged between 11 and 18 years old. Friends and teammates remembered the young people who lost their lives in the fire.

The festival was organised by Youth Action Alliance in collaboration with Epic CIC, Harrow Club, Metropolitan Police, Rugby Portobello Trust and Westway Sports Centre. The event was funded by the National Lottery and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

Kevin Ramsey, CEO of Youth Action Alliance, said: “We wanted both to commemorate those who lost their lives in the fire and show appreciation and support for local organisations, young people and residents. The grief in our community is apparent to ourselves, but so too should be the resilience of North Kensington residents and friends.”

Dawn Austwick, CEO of the Big Lottery Fund, said: “Local groups, neighbours and volunteers worked tirelessly to support people in unthinkable circumstances, and it is inspiring to see the community coming together in this way. This commemoration and celebration is another example of the strength of the people and organisations in the Grenfell community.”

The Big Lottery Fund is working with organisations such as London Funders and John Lyon’s Charity to support people in the Grenfell area. Funded projects have included emotional support and counselling, art therapy, legal advice, advocacy and a variety of summer holiday and community activities.

Notes to Editors

Big Lottery Fund

• The Big Lottery Fund is the largest funder of community activity in the UK. We put people in the lead to improve their lives and communities, often through small, local projects.
• We are responsible for giving out 40% of the money raised by National Lottery players for good causes. In 2016/17 we awarded £712.7 million and supported more than 13,814 projects across the UK for health, education, environment and charitable purposes.
• Since June 2004 we have awarded £8.5 billion to projects that change the lives of millions of people.