Love Not Hate: Young Stars of London brought together an incredible 170 young performers from across the capital on Saturday, 8th February 2025, for an unforgettable evening of music, dance and cultural celebration. Organised by the Manju Shahul-Hameed Foundation for Mental Health, this sold-out fundraising event took place at Whitgift School, Croydon, showcasing the exceptional talents of London’s young stars and raised £6014.37 for mental health and community initiatives.
A Legacy of Unity and Support
The Love Not Hate initiative was first launched in 2016 in response to rising hate crimes after the EU referendum, with the goal of promoting unity and positivity within communities. Since then, the campaign has evolved to address growing concerns around knife crime, youth violence and mental
health stigma, using the power of performance to foster hope and connection.This year’s event expanded to a London-wide platform, celebrating the diverse talent of young performers from boroughs including Croydon, Wandsworth, Merton, Southwark, Lewisham, Bromley, Tower Hamlets, Lambeth, Sutton, Southall and Newham. Their performances—ranging from dance, music, instrumental acts, special educational needs contributions, martial arts, cultural and ethnic displays, contemporary dance, rap, street hip-hop to traditional Chinese and Indian dance—captivated the audience, reinforcing the power of art in building safer, more inclusive communities.Special Message from Prime Minister Keir Starmer We were honoured to receive a letter of support from Prime Minister Keir Starmer, recognising the importance of this event in bringing communities together and tackling the pressing issue of knife crime. His message reaffirmed the critical need for collective action in creating safer spaces for young people.
A Star-Studded Evening with Distinguished Guests
The event featured an esteemed lineup of guest speakers, faith leaders and panelists, who shared messages of inspiration, resilience and community-driven change. Among the key speakers were:
Civic Mayor of Croydon, Cllr Kola Agboola
Colonel Ray Wilkinson, Representative Deputy Lieutenant for Croydon
Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon
Toni Letts OBE
Miss World Caribbean 2024, Ache Abraham
Andy Marlow, Assistant Head, Whitgift School
Sujatha Menon, Manju Shahul-Hameed Foundation for Mental Health
Barrister Stephen Akinsanya
Lord Brett McLean
HRH Princess Kendall Aminat
The evening also included an interfaith prayer ceremony led by faith leaders Revd Andrew Dovey, DrAndrew Br own, Surinder Kaur Sahota, Imam Inaam-ul-Haq and Nitin Mehta MBE from Christian, Sikh, Hindu and Muslim communities, reinforcing the event’s message of peace, understanding and
togetherness.
Empowering Young People: A Call to Action
One of the highlights of the evening was the Community-Led Solutions to Violence Affecting Young People panel discussion, chaired by Tyler Thompson from London’s Violence Reduction Unit, alongside panelists including Alison Kennedy, Polly Dhaliwal, Christabel Yeboah, Chief Superintendent Andy Brittain, young entrepreneur Jayson Bond and Dr. Saf Buxy. The discussion underscored the importance of providing young people with safe spaces, mentorship and pathways to success to combat youth violence and its root causes.
A Night of Generosity and Gratitude
The event was made possible through the generosity of sponsors, including Wates Family Enterprise Trust, London Biggin Hill Airport, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, Young London Today, The Phoenix Way and Rowland Brothers. Their support contributed to the event’s fundraising efforts, with proceeds going toward:
• The Civic Mayor of Croydon’s Charities: Croydon Nightwatch and The Family Centre.
• The Manju Shahul-Hameed Foundation for Mental Health, supporting young people’s mental health initiatives.
A special thanks was extended to Whitgift School, whose governors, headteacher and staff generously provided the venue, ensuring a seamless and professional event.
Honouring the Volunteers and Performers
Behind the success of the evening were hundreds of volunteers who dedicated their time and energy to making the event a reality.
The incredible lineup of performers included:
Brit School, Royal Academy of Dance, 808 Dance, IRIE Dance Academy, The Rock Project, The Boury Academy, Jago Xyen, UK China Performing Arts, Pushpalata Dance Company, Chicaffians, Malayali Association of UK, Silambam Narthanaalayam Dance Academy, Bensham Manor School, JJ Amadeus Strings Group and Shirley High School Performing Arts. Their performances were not only a display of talent but a powerful testament to the resilience and creativity of London’s youth. A young harpist beautifully welcomed guests as they arrived, setting a serene and uplifting tone for the evening. During the break, a young singer captivated the audience with a heartfelt performance, ensuring the event remained a seamless and continuous celebration of talent and entertainment.
Moving Forward: Creating Lasting Impact
As the event concluded, Civic Mayor of Croydon, Cllr Kola Agboola, praised the event, stating: “Love Not Hate: Young Stars of London is a shining example of how communities can come together to empower young people, celebrate diversity and create a future built on unity, hope and opportunity.”
Toni Letts OBE, the Chair of the charity, expressed her gratitude and reaffirmed the commitment to breaking the stigma around mental health, addressing youth violence, and ensuring that no one is left behind. “The Love Not Hate movement is about transforming pain into power, fear into hope and division into unity,” said Toni Letts OBE. “This event is not just about raising funds; it’s about building a future where every young person feels valued, supported and empowered.”
With £6014.37 raised, the event’s success will directly support mental health programs, community outreach initiatives and future youth empowerment events. The foundation also announced plans for future initiatives, including the National Commission for Mental Health, which aims to tackle growing
mental health challenges by conducting in-depth research on engaging stakeholders for insights, developing policy recommendations and advocating for inclusive mental health care.
Stay Connected
To stay updated on upcoming Love Not Hate initiatives, mental health programs, and community events, visit www.msfoundations.co.uk or follow Manju Shahul-Hameed Foundation for Mental Health on social media.
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