ON April 22 1993, Doreen Lawrence's world was shattered after her son, Stephen, was stabbed to death in a racially-motivated attack. Since then she has fought tirelessly, to bring his killers to justice and expose flaws in the judicial system.

Now, through the Stephen Lawrence Trust, she is giving youngsters fresh hope and opportunity. So, what drives her? GLENN EBREY went to find out ...

Doreen Lawrence OBE is in full flow, passionately expressing her views on everything from race relations and education to the Metropolitan Police.

Her audience looks on in awe and admiration, as she continues unabated, not even a dose of the winter flu can douse the verbal fire of this tireless campaigner.

For Mrs Lawrence, fighting for what she believes in is all in a day's work.

It is nearly 12 years since her son, Stephen, 18, was stabbed to death in a racist attack, at a bus stop, in Well Hall Road, Eltham.

Since then no-one has been convicted of his murder, leaving Mrs Lawrence to expose a story of a bungled police investigation and judicial incompetence.

Now she is putting her energy into providing youngsters with a window of opportunity, through the Stephen Lawrence Trust.

The trust was set up in 1998, to provide bursaries to students wanting to study architecture - Stephen's chosen career.

Addressing an audience at a race relations seminar, at Bromley College, Mrs Lawrence explained how she saw the trust as "a legacy to Stephen".

The Stephen Lawrence Trust
  • The trust was launched in 1998, to provide bursaries for young people wishing to study architecture at university.
  • So far it has supported 30 students with their studies.
  • The trust also has links overseas and has supported students with courses at universities in Jamaica and Cape Town, South Africa.
  • The Stephen Lawrence Centre is due to open next year, in Lewisham, to provide long term mentoring and support for young people.
  • To find out more about the trust visit www.stephenlawrence.org.uk

She said: "I wanted to do something that would provide a lasting memorial to Stephen but also help others.

"I thought it would be a fitting tribute to his death, to set up a trust in Stephen's name."

Mrs Lawrence says a desire to speak up in memory of her son keeps her going.

"We can easily become bitter and try to seek revenge, but at the end of the day it does not help anyone.

"I had to be a voice for Stephen, by speaking out and challenging the system, I can be that voice."

And does she think "the system" has improved?

"To say that nothing has changed would be wrong, for example some senior officers are working hard to change the culture of the police.

"But at times I feel this is not filtering down to the average bobby on the beat. Many of them still need to stop and think about their attitude and show some respect."

Mrs Lawrence admits the trust lacks resources, indeed she is pretty much a one-woman band - "The trust is quite small, in fact it is just me!"

She would love to set up a helpline, a support network for youngsters, but the funding is simply not there. Another battle.

"What we need is a type of one-stop shop, maybe a free phone number, where youngsters can get support, free legal advice, anything they need.

"I have been to the Commission for Racial Equality, but at the moment we don't have the resources."

For now, Mrs Lawrence will continue to tour the country, spreading a message of hope to black youngsters and shaking up the system.

She is a formidable, but very human, campaigner. She even admits to the occasional bout of stage fright.

"People have this idea that it comes as easy but I do get very nervous.

"However, I have to look beyond that at the bigger picture and what I am trying to achieve.

"Some days I feel like I want Stephen to myself, he was my son after all, but I always wanted to see him achieve in life.

"Now, I at least hope I can go some way to helping others achieve."