David was a promising young boxer with aspirations to turn professional. That was until leaving a disco one night in Peckham, someone pointed a loaded shotgun at his head. David lost an eye and suffered a head full of pellets. It took a full year and a great deal of personal courage just to learn to walk and talk again.
Today, David is an active campaigner against the carrying and use of guns by urban gangs, often finding himself at odds with the civic authorities. David argues with a great deal of authority, that he is uniquely qualified to talk about the dangers of gun crime. Despite this, he tells me that he has been barred from entering City Hall and discussing the issues by Boris Johnson's office. Different people, same objective, unable to agree on a common approach. What needs to happen David asserts, is that 'young stars' will take greater heed from someone who talks their language and who fully understands the peer and other pressures that lead to the carrying of guns.
Whatever the difficulties, David will continue his campaign in his own personal and very distinctive style. That he is a survivor not a victim is undeniable, his resilience and determination to ensure what happened to him, does not happen to others is a tribute to this remarkable man.
Footnote:
Our meeting was quite brief, David was waiting for a bus and initially was reluctant for me to take his photograph. He told me his story and after a short while said “OK, you can take my photo”. I managed to take three and to make a contribution to his campaign funds just before his bus arrived.
Today, David is an active campaigner against the carrying and use of guns by urban gangs, often finding himself at odds with the civic authorities. David argues with a great deal of authority, that he is uniquely qualified to talk about the dangers of gun crime. Despite this, he tells me that he has been barred from entering City Hall and discussing the issues by Boris Johnson's office. Different people, same objective, unable to agree on a common approach. What needs to happen David asserts, is that 'young stars' will take greater heed from someone who talks their language and who fully understands the peer and other pressures that lead to the carrying of guns.
Whatever the difficulties, David will continue his campaign in his own personal and very distinctive style. That he is a survivor not a victim is undeniable, his resilience and determination to ensure what happened to him, does not happen to others is a tribute to this remarkable man.
Footnote:
Our meeting was quite brief, David was waiting for a bus and initially was reluctant for me to take his photograph. He told me his story and after a short while said “OK, you can take my photo”. I managed to take three and to make a contribution to his campaign funds just before his bus arrived.