The main thing you need to know about the Samantha Sykes Foundation Trust is that the work of this charity is carried out on behalf of, and in the memory of, Samantha Sykes who tragically died, at 18 years old, with her friend Kimberley Frank who was “looked after” by the local authority. Sami was murdered because of the support she selflessly gave to two sisters, who were in need of love, protection and guidance and who would have benefited from the work of this charity. Our promise to Sami is: 

 The Samantha Sykes Foundation Trust’s mission is to support victims and those at high risk of child sexual exploitation, up to and including the age of 25, to access therapeutic interventions such as (but not confined to) counselling or therapy, to help them re-build their often broken lives. Additionally, we also support looked-after children in the care system and care leavers, up to and including the age of 25, to access further and higher education. This can be through the provision of books, laptops, travel passes, equipment or any other items we feel would help that child or young person to achieve their full potential.

With the help of local communities and working in partnership with businesses, not-for-profit organisations, educational establishments and other statutory services, we make a difference to the lives of children and young people. 

To develop our social movement, the Samantha Sykes FT has provided awareness raising and presentations to a large range of professionals, both locally, nationally and internationally, including (but not limited to) the Police, Social Care, international researchers, Nursing and Medical profession and Educational establishments. Some Trustees have worked with NHS England around the issues surrounding CSE and care-experienced children and young people. We have reviewed policy and service specifications for commissioners and have worked with several third sector organisations around domestic abuse issues such as ‘Women’s Aid’.

The Trustees of The Samantha Sykes Foundation Trust include members of a family devastated by the tragic death of their 18-year-old daughter but also of a team of highly qualified and experienced professionals in business and child protection.

Our Honorary Member is Professor Pat Cantrill MSc, BA HONS, RGN, RHV, RHVT, TC (Man). Professor Cantrill is committed to improving the care and protection of children and young people and has worked relentlessly within this arena for most of her professional career.

Our Ambassador for Children and Young People is Sannah Mahmood who works tirelessly to support young people who have been disadvantaged

Nazir Afzal OBE, was Chief Crown Prosecutor for NW England and formerly director in London. Most recently, he was Chief Executive of the country’s Police & Crime Commissioners. During a 24 year career he has prosecuted some of the most high profile cases in the country, advised on many others and led nationally on several legal topics including violence against women and girls, child sexual abuse, and honour based violence. He had responsibility for more than 100,000 other prosecutions each year. His prosecutions of the so called Rochdale grooming gang, BBC presenter Stuart Hall and hundreds of others were groundbreaking and drove the work that has changed the landscape of child protection. He is the Chair of Hopwood Hall. He was appointed to the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). He is also National Adviser on Gender Based Violence to the Welsh Government. Most recently he joined the advisory board of Google’s Innovation Fund for counter-extremism.

Nazir’s has received many accolades. In 2005, he was awarded an OBE by the Queen for his work with the CPS and involvement with local communities. He has also had the honour of being the only lawyer to ever prosecute a case before the Queen. In 2007, he was awarded the CPS’s Public Servant of the year, named Legal Personality of the Year by the Society of Asian Lawyers, the UK Government’s Justice Award 2007 and awarded the Daily Mirror newspaper “People’s award” voted for by readers. He was awarded the Law Society/Bar Council Mentoring award.  Nazir was also selected for the Asian Power 100 along with the Muslim Power 100 list, recognised as one of the 100 most influential leading Muslims and Asians in the UK.  He has been listed in the Pakistan Power100 which regards him as one of the 100 most influential people of Pakistani origin in the world today. Awarded the lifetime Achievement Award by the Power 100, and the British Muslim Award in 2013. He was Asian Media Group’s “Man of the Year 2012,” and the Asian Achievers Award 2014.  The acclaimed BBC Film “Three Girls” was based on his case & featured Ace Bhatti playing him.

We are honoured to have him as a Patron of The Samantha Sykes Foundation Trust