A charity set up to educate people about knife crime following the death of a much-loved son is holding its second event in Cornwall next month.
MIKES Trust, is hosting its second MIKES Motor Mania at Spitfire Park in Perranporth on June 22 and 23, 2024.
The charity was set up after Michael Riddiough-Allen - known to his family and friends as Mike - tragically lost his life to knife crime in the early hours of April 30, 2023.
He was an innocent bystander to a brawl outside a nightclub in Bodmin, but stepped in to stop a man when he started using a knife to attack people - and due to his bravery, he paid with his life.
In March this year Jake Hill was found guilty of his murder.
As Mike died trying to help and make a difference, MIKES Trust (Michael’s Initiative for Knifecrime Education in Society) is trying to do the same and make a difference to prevent similar incidents from happening again.
The charity was set up by Mike’s family in his honour, and to raise awareness of knife crime and the tragedies it can cause.
Michael Riddiough-Allen was a victim of knife crime (Image: Devon and Cornwall Police)
One way the charity is raising awareness is with MIKES Motor Mania, a weekend long event in Cornwall.
On Saturday, June 22, visitors can begin with a Cornwall Car tour. There will also be a range of activities at Spitfire Park for people to take part in, and they can even book skydiving.
Sunday, June 23, is then the main day of the weekend event. Gates will open at 11am, with cars, soapbox racing, activities, stalls and prizes.
Camping is available for Friday and Saturday night for a full experience of the family-friendly car festival.
Mike’s dad, Kevin Allen, said: “As Mike had three great joys in life, cars, surfing and rugby, we came up with the idea of MIKES Motor Mania last year to celebrate Mike and campaign for the change in attitude everyone needs to make around the casual carrying of a knife.
“This change will come from education and community, and this forms the backbone of all our events. Yes a community can come together in pain, but it should also come together in joy.
“We have been able to make this upcoming event even bigger and better than last year; we have corporate partners and car clubs attending, including Ocean BMW.
“It’ll be everything Mike loved and I’m so humbled that it’ll be in honour of him. There will be hundreds of people there to celebrate him and raise awareness on the cost of knife crime, it’s what he would have wanted.”
One of the corporate partners supporting this event is auto accessories supplier and private labelling manufacturer, Simply Brands.
Its CEO, Ollie Page, said: “I’ve known Kevin for a while and when he told me about this event and the reasons behind it, I instantly knew we had to help him in some way.
“This was a tragic event to happen to Mike, his friends and family, but out of that, they’ve come together to remember Mike and do something positive out of it, so I applaud them for their resilience and love for Mike.
“I encourage everyone to attend what will be a fantastic event, and if you can’t attend, you can still help by donating, sharing Mike’s story and educating yourself and people around you about the impact of knife crime.”
To get in touch with MIKES Trust, email mikestrust@outlook.com or you can donate via PayPal.
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