Campaigning mum and sister of North East teen stabbed to death receive MBEs
Alison Magdin and Carly Barrett from Wallsend in Newcastle have spent the last six years delivering thousands of workshops to children between 12-18 as part of their charity Samantha's Legacy.
The mum and daughter duo set up the charity in 2019 on what would have been Samantha Magdin's 30th birthday - 12 years after young mum Samantha, 18, was murdered by a 15-year-old as she tried to break up a fight.
Samantha Magdin, 18. (Image: North News & Pictures Ltd)Now, after years of tireless work spreading awareness of knife crime, Alison and Carly have today (June 13) been named in the King's Birthday Honours; both receiving MBE's.
But that's not all. They are the first mum and daughter in history to be awarded said honour at the same time - as the pair say the news is more motivation to keep Samantha's Legacy going.
Alison, 59, told The Northern Echo: "Carly rang me and asked if my post had arrived, and she asked me if I had got a letter. I didn't at the time, and then she told me that she had been awarded an MBE.
Mum and daughter Alison Magdin and Carly Barrett. (Image: ALISON MAGDIN) "I thought it was marvellous news. Turns out there was a bit of a mix up in the post and I got mine a few days later. I sat and cried the whole day, it was so emotional.
"I shouldn't be receiving the MBE really, I should have Samantha here. But I will take it - I'll take it for me, my family, everyone who has supported us and for the North East."
Alison added that Carly, 34, was "bursting to tell Samantha" the news, but felt she had an "even bigger fire inside her" to keep going.
Samantha's Legacy first major breakthrough saw the moving Knife Angel, made out of thousands of blades with an anti-violence message come to Gateshead. The angel remained outside The Sage for the whole of February 2020.
Years later, the pair opened Samantha's Retreat in 2022 - a caravan getaway open to families affected by knife crime.
They have also been involved in The Northern Echo's Knife Crime task force - bringing together families affected by knife crime from across the North East in a bid to make positive change.
Alison Magdin and Carly Barrett, who attended a reception at Number 10 Downing Street yesterday (June 12) as part of the honour. (Image: ALISON MAGDIN) "I have been privileged to be involved with the task force", Alison said.
"It is great to see local media supporting the likes of Samantha's legacy to help make change."
As for what happens now, Alison and Carly are hoping to take Samantha's Legacy from strength to strength even alongside their full time jobs.
Alison still runs a cleaning business, and Carly works at a school, but they dream one day of being able to make the charity their main focus.
Alison said: "I put a lot of anger and grief at the time in to finding out what happened to Samantha and why, but as everything unfolded, I realised I needed to do something.
Read more:
Machetes sold in County Durham as Knife Angel unveiled by knife crime victims nearby
Two teenagers arrested on suspicion of attempted murder during knife crime raids
Dad of murdered teenager backs North East police forces' crack down on knife crime
'One injury is one too many': Durham Police launches new anti-knife crime campaign
Bereaved mum urges people to watch Adolescence on TV to 'realise knife crime problem'
"Obviously, we know knife crime has continued, but every time I hear of it happening it gives me more strength and passion to carry on to try and make a difference.
"We've been trying to support other families, too, with their own trauma."
She added: "The work we do is more important than ever. We are victims ourselves - but I think families affected by knife crime all inspire each other to do work.
"My anger had fuelled me to want to stop knife crime. I hope with this MBE more doors can be opened and we can make more of a difference.
"We want to work alongside leaders and get them to listen - are they listening now?
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