A mother whose son was knifed to death will attend a peace vigil organised by teenagers to help stamp out violent attacks for good.

Kashif Mahmood, of Goodmayes Lane, was just 16 when he was murdered in a subway in Ilford High Road in September 2005 in a row over his girlfriend. Rehan Ashgar, 18, was jailed for life in 2007.

But while his mother, Parvin Mahmood, says she will never get over the pain of losing a child, she has vowed to keep campaigning in his honour.

She will join people at Redbridge Peace Monument on Friday, July 27 at 2pm in honour of those killed, as part of a wider event held throughout the week.

The event has been organised by teenagers who are part of the National Citizenship Scheme, who have been pounding the streets this week.

They have been speaking to young people, showing them images and speaking to them in the hopes of veering them away from the pitfalls of gang culture.

It has been organised with the East Ilford Betterment Partnership.

Chairman Wilson Chowdhry said: "Violent crime is a distasteful crime that always has long term ramifications to the victims the perpetrators and friends and families associated with both sides. There are simply no winners in crimes of this nature.

"The growing social-malaise of gang-affiliation in Redbridge has to be nipped in the bud. Redbridge has for a long time been free of gangs and we must strive to protect our young people for entering into a lifestyle choice that creates victims in every sense.

"For the first time young people will have a chance this week to meet with the specialists and the committed as many people give up their time to share a new way of life and an array of opportunity for young people in our borough.

"It is passion for change like this that will help make our borough a safer more productive community and I hope children and young people grasp this opportunity with both hands."

They have also partnered with The Challenge, which aims to build a more integrated society, and E-gangs, which mentors those exiting a gang-lifestyle.

The teenagers are now devising a series of events to help bolster friendships and help teenagers feeling lonely and isolated.

This includes a public art competition during the Redbridge Fayre in Ilford.

This comes after a report published by Redbridge Council last March shows 33 per cent of youth offenders are affected by gangs.