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Concert tribute to stab victim Jimmy
Rob Singh, Evening Standard13 Aug 2008
The family and friends of teenager Jimmy Mizen have organised a fundraising concert in his memory.
The 16-year-old former altar boy was the 13th teenager to die violently on London's streets this year after being attacked at a baker's in May.
Now his six brothers and friends have organised a show at the Astoria 2 nightclub in Charing Cross Road, showcasing bands to raise money for the Jimmybus charity.
The fund will pay for a fleet of minibuses to be used by community organisations and charities. The buses will have Jimmy's name written on the side and will serve as a memorial to the teenager.
Called Sparkle: A Concert For Jimmy, the event on 11 October will feature a song entitled Sparkle, which has been co-written by Jimmy's older brother, Tommy, 26. The song will be released as a single on iTunes on 19 September.
Phil Cone, a close friend of the Mizen family who is helping with the show, said: "The whole purpose is to raise funds and awareness about the Jimmybus appeal.
"We want as many young people there as possible to use it as a celebration of his life."
He added: "Jimmy was an integral part of the community. When he died it was such a shock and it was heartrending. He did not deserve that because he was such a nice person and he had this aura about him.
"He was a massive music fan and he loved his brothers' bands. We see this as a fitting send-off to him."
Antony Morgan, who is in a band with Tommy Mizen and co-wrote Sparkle, added: "Basically we want to raise as much money for the Jimmybus charity as possible and to honour Jimmy of course.
"But we also want to put a great night on for the whole Mizen family who have shown so much strength and dignity at an extremely difficult time. We thought there was no better way of doing it than through a medium which Jimmy loved and that was music."
Jimmy, who also had two sisters, had turned 16 the day before he was attacked. He suffered a fatal neck injury from a shard of glass while with his brother Harry, 18, at the Three Cooks bakery in Lee, near his home.
Jake Fahri, 19, of Lee, is due to appear at the Old Bailey on 21 August accused of Jimmy's murder.
So far 22 teenagers have died violently in London this year.
Reader views (3)
I'd be great if it was a sell out, it always feels like you can't "do" anything when this kind of awful thing happens, but you can in this case.
It'd be great for the local community to have minibuses to use for trips and community projects.
Good luck to them, I look forward to going and showing my support.
- Claire, Peckham, London, 15/08/2008 10:08
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"The fund will pay for a fleet of minibuses to be used by community organisations and charities. The buses will have Jimmy's name written on the side and will serve as a memorial to the teenager."
Use your eyes woman! It's in the piece.
- Sally, London, 14/08/2008 10:05
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My Question Is where do all the funds go? for what cause?
THE "Jimmybus Charity" is for what cause.
No disrespect to Jimmy and his family but I unable to see what will come out of this.
- Milie, London, 13/08/2008 21:05
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