Together We Must End This Horror Now

Every day, the feeling of helplessness in us parents grows bigger & bigger. If you have kids of a certain age, that feeling is relentless. Every walk to school. Every hug goodbye. You can't help but wonder if that's it, that's the last one

- ROS WYNNE-JONES

This is the first Monday back after the new year. Which means that today, both school and Parliament are in session again. But the truth is, only one of these institutions will be forced to deal with just how many desks remain empty.

In 2023, serious youth violence rose all across the country.

Hundreds more promising lives cut short over an argument or a fleeting emotion. Hundreds more classrooms dimmed by grief.

Every day, the feeling of helplessness in us parents grows bigger and bigger. If you have kids of a certain age, that feeling is relentless.

Every walk to school. Every hug goodbye. You can't help but wonder if that's it, that's the last one.

Now, it's time for the urgency felt in our communities to be actioned by our politicians.

That is why the Don't Stop Your Future campaign, which we are launching today, aims to raise the horrifying reality of serious youth violence to the top of the political agenda, where it belongs.

When political leaders come to work this morning, they will pass by a series of neatly folded outfits in Parliament Square representing the victims of 2023.

They come from all walks of life, but share one terrible thing in common. They got dressed that day not knowing it would be their last.