A brave Wallsend mum who has dedicated her life to teaching kids about knife crime, after losing her own daughter in a senseless killing, has brought a top women’s award home to the North East.

Deserved winner of the Northern Power Women’s Award’s ‘Person with Purpose’ title, Alison Madgin of charity, Samantha’s Legacy, has been recognised for using her own heartache from tragically losing a child to drive her campaign to prevent other families from experiencing similar suffering.

Alison who, along with her other daughter Carly, has dedicated her life to supporting and educating others also famously brought the impactful knife angel statue to Gateshead quayside in 2020 as part of ongoing work with Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuiness’s Violence Reduction Unit. The angel served as a powerful statement to highlight the harsh reality of carrying a knife.

The awards, held in Manchester last night, are a celebration of talent, role models and inspiring women from the North and Alison wasn’t the only North East success story from the night. She was joined by a long list of fellow angels of the north – all of whom work passionately to improve lives and support some of the most vulnerable people of the region.

One such woman was Collette Devlin- Smith who received a commendation for all her work as part of EDGE North East. In the last few years, Collette has sprung up as an instrumental figure driving a new approach to how the region prevents young people from being exploited and coerced into the evils of County Lines.

Also short-listed for another top award was Streetwise’s Mandy Coppin – an inspirational woman who has stood up to youth service cuts and worked tirelessly to put the young people of our region first ensuring services and support are there for those in need.

Northumbria Police and Crime commissioner, Kim McGuinness, led the congratulations on the night saying: “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.”

Award winner, Alison Madgin, from Samantha’s Legacy, 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.”

Edge North East’s Collette Devlin-Smith, who received a commendation, said: “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 a, and they deserve our help to overcome these. These vulnerable individuals are open to exploitation, and we are absolutely committed to protecting & defending them, reducing any opportunities for others to benefit from their struggles.

For more information on the awards and other winners from the region please visit: www.northernpowerwomen.com

ENDS