The mum of murdered teenager Samantha Madgin has scooped an award for her work to tackle knife crime.
Alison Madgin was left heartbroken after her 18-year-old daughter was stabbed to death in Wallsend by young killer Jordan Jobson. But since the tragedy, in 2007, Alison has worked tirelessly to educate young people about the dangers of carrying knives, and set-up a fund in her daughter's name called Samantha's Legacy.
And now her courage and determination have been recognised with a top award for women. Alison scooped the 'Person with Purpose title at the Northern Power Women’s Awards.
The awards, held in Manchester on Monday night, are a celebration of talent, role models and inspiring women from the North. Alison said: "Whilst the award may have come about through tragic circumstances, this recognition has given me even more purpose to continue the work that we do.
"I know what the pain felt like, and I don’t want any mother, father, or family, to have to experience that. I will continue to campaign, educate and support our region’s young people in any way possible.
"There is never an excuse or reason to carry a knife, and if reliving my own personal nightmare means that others understand why it’s not acceptable, it’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make to save a life.”
Samantha was a new mum when she was killed in August 2007. She had been enjoying her first night out since giving birth to son Callum when she fatally crossed paths with 15-year-old Jobson, who she had never met before.
The killer, who had been drinking vodka and taking cocaine, armed herself with a knife after a disturbance broke out in a Wallsend alleyway, Newcastle Crown Court was told.
Jobson stabbed unarmed Samantha multiple times in the face, arms and chest.
One of the blows pierced her lung and severed a major artery near her heart, meaning nothing could be done to save Samantha’s life. The killing left Samantha’s son Callum, who was just 10 weeks old at the time, without a mum.
Jobson, from Walker in Newcastle, was later convicted of murder and jailed for life. She was originally handed a minimum term of 15 years. However, after two separate appeals, that was reduced to 11 years.
Samantha's Legacy was set up in 2019 to mark what would have been Samantha's 30th birthday.
And in 2020 Alison and her other daughter Carly, along with Northumbria's Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness, were instrumental in bringing the powerful Knife Angel sculpture to Gateshead.
Alison wasn’t the only woman from the North East to pick up an award. Collette Devlin- Smith received a commendation for her work as part of EDGE North East in recognition of her work to prevent young people in the North East from being exploited by County Lines gangs.
Also short-listed was Streetwise’s Mandy Coppin, who stood up to youth service cuts and has worked tirelessly to put the young people in the region first.
Ms McGuinness, led the congratulations on the night. She said: "I couldn’t be happier for Alison and all the women here tonight. They all deserve this recognition and more. We must not let the work these people do go unnoticed. This work really matters. And I’m proud that they’ve come to Manchester and really put the North East on the map.
“Between them, the number of lives they’ve all changed, supported and even saved, doesn’t bare thinking about. I feel lucky not only knowing these inspirational women but to have them cracking on in our region, shifting the dial and changing lives. To all of them, I can’t give enough thanks and I know there are a lot of people out there who feel the same.”
And Collette added: "This award reflects the burning passion and desire that I, and my whole team, have to support those young people we work with.
"They all deserve a chance, an opportunity to learn and be supported, and to have that guiding mentor.
"Some of the individuals we work with have had to face unimaginable challenges at a very young age, and they deserve our help to overcome these. These vulnerable individuals are open to exploitation, and we are absolutely committed to protecting and defending them, reducing any opportunities for others to benefit from their struggles."
