A beacon of inspiration for those who need direction.

We all need to strive towards creating a better London for young people. Damilola believed he could change the world, we have taken on that dream and we will carry it on the spirit of hope.

Damilola Taylor believed he could changed the world. It was this hope and belief that inspired the launch of the Spirit of London Awards back in 2012.

I saw the beauty of hope at those awards. Observing the vibrancy of the evening, the unfettered joy and the bolshy swagger of the young people buoyed with pride was a pivotal moment for me. I attended the ceremony with my siblings and I was excited for them to see their peers celebrated and exalted for their outstanding achievements. We were witnessing the talent in London at its finest. I saw the power of positive reinforcement, and the importance of recognising the huge efforts; this expressed to the young people the belief that we had in them to scale even greater heights.

I was compelled to be involved with the Foundation in any way that my skills would allow. I have been a part of the Spirit of London family for 7 years and we have as a collective sought to challenge the perception of the young people in London and be a beacon of inspiration for those who are in need of direction. The Spirit of London Family is multifaceted, varying in strengths and expertise while at the same time providing a safe place to grow, learn and share.

With the unprecedented turmoil of 2020 affecting undoubtedly all corners of the globe, a message of hope is something that can help us to see the good in the bad and a light in the dark. We all need messages of hope. We all need reasons to keep moving forward with our dreams. We all need to strive towards creating a better London for young people. Damilola believed he could change the world, we have taken on that dream and we will carry it on the spirit of hope.

Christine Ohuruogu – Olympic Athlete