Bexleyheath schoolboy Philip Lamin remembered one year after tragic death

Philip, 16, collapsed during a friendly game of after-school football at Goals in Graham Road on February 5 last year just after scoring a goal.

Pupils, teachers and friends from Bexleyheath Academy are to mark the occasion with a tribute event.

Philip's mum Juliet Lamin, from Belvedere, has been working tirelessly for the young friends her son left behind by setting up a forum for young people which takes place every Friday at Nando's in Bexleyheath.

Juliet, who works as a drug and alcohol councillor, said: "As a forum we have a few aims and this is all being done under the umbrella of the Philip Lamin Foundation.

"The forum is somewhere for kids to come and talk about their problems.

"Philip loved his friends more than anything and always put them above himself, I know he would be very proud of what we are doing.

"His friends have not left my side. They treat me like a mum and look after me."

Juliet is also campaigning for every school to have a defibrillator on the premises.

She said: "I don't know if this would have saved Philip's life but it's better to be safe than sorry."

Juliet Lamin (left) with Tracey Boswell, is campaigning for every school to have a defibrillator.

Juliet also recently organised a meeting between Bexley Borough Police Commander Peter Ayling who met with some of Philip's friends.

The forum also want to help young black teenagers have a better relationship with police.

She added: "There is a lot of distrust of the police among black youths and we want to try and build up some trust.

"After our meeting we even had some of the boys saying they wanted to join the force. It was very positive."

One of Philip's best friends Emmanuel Rusai, 17, who goes to Dartford Grammar School for Boys, is heading up the forum.

He added: "Philip was more than a friend, he was a brother.

"After he died I could have easily gone off the rails but he came to me in dream and tapped me on the shoulder and for me that was confirmation that he is pleased with everything we are doing.

"I cannot believe a year has passed by so quickly but everything we are doing is for him."

To find out more about the forum email emmanuel-rusai@hotmail.co.uk

Special talk 

A former Millwall footballer lucky not to lose his life in the same horrible circumstances as Philip spoke to Bexleyheath Academy students yesterday.

Tobi Alabi, 20, collapsed while playing in a friendly for Metropolitan Police on October 15.

The striker had to call time on his career at the age of just 19 after he was diagnosed with a heart condition.

The former Erith School pupil has posted a short documentary on YouTube telling his story.

Tobi Alabi with Juliet Lamin. 

He encouraged 300 year 11s to get screened for heart defects at the academy on February 11 and 12.

Former head of year 11 and current head of year 7 Tracey Boswell said: “It went really well and it was very positive.

“He’s such an inspiration and he showed the children the video he’s done.

“He’s very much in the public eye now which is brilliant.”

Read News Shopper's stories on Philip Lamin here.