Parents who lost sons to violence will speak at youth crime concert

Michael and Grace Idowu, whose son David was knifed to death in June, will join Rasak and Shakira Dosunmu, whose son Michael was gunned down last year, at the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Old Kent Road.

The concert on 29 August was organised amid growing concern among London's African community about youth violence. Mrs Idowu said: "It's an opportunity for us to speak to the youths. We need to show the consequences of shedding blood and the pain that is left behind."

"I have not met the Dosunmu family yet but I will console them when I see them.

"I spoke to Damilola Taylor's father, he called us to send his condolences, and I will offer them the same. It helps to hear a word of comfort and I think that this type of event can make a difference - all of us have to fight against this."

Event organiser Sam Oludayo Satoki said: "Everyone is talking about this guns and knives problem. The Idowu and Dosunmu families are major speakers on the day. They are going to talk to the young people, as they have lost a child. I believe it's up to the community - young and old - to come together to fight this problem.

"Most of these young people who head towards crime feel depressed in the sense they have talent in them but there is no where to exhibit it - they want to get known so they do crime to be popular. When they get money, they smoke weed or buy drugs and before you know it, crime is their life. Everyone should be involved in helping the young people - it has to do with family first, but then the community needs to play their part and that is what our event is about."

Other speakers will include the Bible Society's Dr David Landrum, gospel singer Roger Samuels and former footballer Kingsley Obieku who won an Olympic gold medal with Nigeria in 1996.

Michael Dosunmu, 15, was shot in his Peckham home in February last year by Mohammed Sannoh, 19, and Abdi Noor, 22. They had mistaken him for his brother Hakeem, 26, who they believed had cheated them out of robbery proceeds. They were jailed for life in June.

David Idowu, 14, was stabbed on his way home from school in Southwark in June. He died three weeks later. A 16 year-old boy was charged with his murder last month.