12th July 2009

Mr Faeem Ahmed will be running the British 10k run on Sunday 12th July in his best friend Jamie Simpson's memory, raising money for a charity (Through Unity) which supports families of victims of violent crime. In 2008, the families of Damilola Taylor and Robert Levy came together with a passionate wish to recruit and unite others and formed a coalition called Through UNITY as one voice to champion personal and social responsibility, and unite to say together: "No to knives, guns and youth violence"

Sponsor Mr Faeem Ahmed at http://www.justgiving.com/Faeem-Ahmed

Candlelit vigil

Mr Faeem Ahmed, who organised the vigil, said he used to chat with his friend every day. "He was like a brother to me. We have been best friends for over 10 years. "He has lived life to the max. His dream was to open up a bar in a hot country.

This year the vigil for Jamie was held outside the shop on Saturday 7th March 2009

"He was a people person and would bring people together."



There were approximately 250 people at the vigil, including the Mayor of Hackney (Jules Pipe), Jeanette Arnold (Member of London Assembly and Metropolitan Police Authority), Carl Duncan (Operation Trident Independent Advisory Group) and other councillors and dignitaries as well as Jamie's family (20 people), Jamie's friends (40 people) and community members and shoppers.

Above image : (Lorna Simpson (Jamie's mum), Carl Duncan, Lambert Simpson (Jamie's dad)

Everyone lit candles or laid floral tributes and paid their respects, then held hands and had a two minute silence at half past twelve. The shopping centre made an announcement and everyone stood still for two minutes).

Above images : (Lorna Simpson (Jamie's mum), Carl Duncan, Lambert Simpson (Jamie's dad) and Floral Tributes

Diane Abbot MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington said "The murder of Jamie Simpson was a horrific crime. His death represents a loss to the community as a whole. My thoughts are with Jamie's friends and family during this remembrance of his life."