Bereaved mothers campaign on crime

Daniel Conroy Curtin died after being hit by a stolen car

Two bereaved mothers from Teesside are hoping their intimate experiences of crime and its effects will make youngsters think twice before turning to a life on the wrong side of the law.

Clare Conroy's eight-year-old son, Daniel, was knocked down and killed by a teenager in a stolen car, in 2006.

She has joined forces with relatives of other victims of crime - and local campaigners - to form the "It's Your Life" group.

The project's founder is Barbara Dunne, whose son Robert was stabbed to death with an ornamental samurai sword.

The group will visit schools, colleges and clubs to alert young people to the consequences of criminal and anti-social behaviour.

Barbara Dunne began campaigning after her son was killed by a 19-year-old in 2003.

She took a petition to Downing Street, wrote to MPs and compiled a dossier of other weapons.

She said: "I vowed I would not let this be swept under the carpet and I didn't, I just battled on with the campaign and it led to the replica samurai sword ban."

Swept under carpet

Speaking about the new project, she said: "It was anti-social behaviour which led to my son's death, so we've got to get the awareness out to make kids realise what they are doing.

"We are telling them of the dangers, but we also want something back.

"We want them to be asking us questions, we want their feedback, their ideas for posters, leaflets."

The project is being launched in Middlesbrough on Monday.

"There will be a banner and a newsletter, just to promote the team and let them know we are there," Mrs Dunne said.

Robert Dunne, 31, was killed by a single stab wound

"We're pointing to the banner and saying 'it's your choice, it's your life'.

"I do believe it will make some difference and the youths will go away and think about it."

Clare Conroy's son died in hospital nine days after he was hit by a stolen car in Middlesbrough's Riverside Park.

Its 15-year-old driver later admitted causing death by dangerous driving and was detained for three years.

She said: "When Barbara came to me with the idea of "It's your life' I thought it was a really good one.

"We want to put awareness across to families, youth centres and schools because not many youths are aware of the consequences of what could happen to them.

"You do get a few saying 'it won't happen to me', but the likes of Barbara and me, we've been through it. We've got stories."