A mother who started a charity in memory of her son is desperate to win funding in a national competition.

Yvonne Lawson started the Godwin Lawson Foundation to tackle youth knife crime after her son, Godwin, was stabbed to death three years ago.

Last year, the foundation was able to run a leadership project to help teenagers become young leaders at Godwin’s former school, St Ignatius, in Enfield.

In tough times, money has been hard to come by but hope might be on the horizon after the foundation entered the Lloyds Bank Community Fund.

The scheme will give a much-needed cash boosts to three different charities across the UK that have been helping their local communities.

Mrs Lawson said: “This money would mean the world to us. It would allow us to fulfil our leadership project and start more early intervention programs to help tackle knife crime from an early age.

“Money has been tight unfortunately but we are appealing for everyone to get to a Lloyds bank or vote online for us to go through to the final stage.”

The Godwin Lawson Foundation has so far made it through the first stage and will now go to a public vote between September 2, and October 10.

Enfield North MP Nick de Bois nominated the foundation to be in with a chance of scooping the jackpot and praised Yvonne for her hard work.

He said: “I am delighted that the Lloyds Banking Group has accepted my nomination and shortlisted The Godwin Lawson Foundation for the next stage of fund.

“Yvonne has done some fantastic work with young people, providing them with role models and I hope that the public will get behind her nomination.”