Danny named patron of the Kiyan Prince Foundation ...
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We need to do all we can to reduce knife and gun crime as much as possible"
Danny Simpson
DANNY Simpson has spoken of the incredible work of the Kiyan Prince Foundation (KPF) after being named as a patron of the not-for-profit organisation.
Kiyan – a member of QPR’s centre of excellence – was stabbed to death at the age of 15 in 2006.
His father, Mark Prince, set the foundation up in his son’s name to help combat knife and gun crime. A former professional boxer, Mark made an emotional return to the ring last month in order to generate some much-needed publicity for the foundation.
And it was through his boxing return that Simpson came to hear about – and become involved in – KPF.
“I got in touch with Mark in the lead up to his recent fight,” Simson told
www.qpr.co.uk today (Monday) on what would have been Kiyan’s 23rd birthday.
“I sent him my best wishes via twitter.
“We had a conversation on there and he mentioned to me about becoming a patron. I spoke to a few people and they all said it was a good thing to do, and worth supporting in any way that I could.
“If I can help the foundation then that’s what I want to do.”
Simpson, who grew up in Salford, Manchester, added: “As a kid, I was around this sort of thing. Kiyan was only 15 when this happened, an absolute tragedy. People need to be aware of what is happening on our streets. We need to do all we can to reduce knife and gun crime as much as possible.
“As a young footballer with a background that is familiar with this, I want to help raise awareness. If I can go to schools to do that, then that’s what I’d like to do. Even if only a few people listen to me and change their way of thinking, then I’ll feel I have done my bit.”
The 26 year-old also had words of praise for Mark, who has devoted his life to making sure positive actions can come from the loss of his son.
“I couldn’t imagine going through what Mark has gone through, and what he continues to go through,” Simpson said.
“He is so brave to do what he does. He is an incredible man to deal with what has happened, and to be trying to make a difference. I’m sure Kiyan is very proud of his dad.”
Andy Evans, CEO of QPR in the Community Trust, said: “On this day that Kiyan would have been 23, QPR in the Community Trust continues to support the work and development of the KPF.
“We have stood alongside the Prince family since the formation of the KPF and share the same values of family, community and helping young people to fulfil their potential.
“We look forward to working alongside the KPF.”
For more details on the Kiyan Prince Foundation visit
www.kiyan.org
Read more at
http://www.qpr.co.uk/news/article/251113-simpson-kpf-is-incredible-1195970.aspx?#y7fpgDcmLilmigQh.99
