David Robins
David Robins, the Charity’s Grants Director, died on 6th October 2007 following a brave fight against cancer. He joined the Charity in June1993 when the Charity was on the threshold of establishing itself as a new grant funder in London. The subsequent development of the Charity is testament to the contribution that David made to the scope and style of the Charity’s grant giving. In many respects he has been the heartbeat of the Charity.
Throughout his career David was dedicated to the issues and complexities of youth culture, writing a number of books and articles. The Charity’s joint initiative with City Parochial, City Bridge, Esmee Fairbairn and Wates, Tackling Knife Culture, is testament to his commitment to addressing one of the most pressing issues facing young people today and is just one way in which the Charity is continuing David’s legacy. The Charity is committed to the Tackling Knife Culture initiative and to a wide range of other projects seeking to change the lives of and increase opportunities for young people, many of which David was instrumental in developing.
It is typical that despite his illness he should have been working til almost his last breath to express his incisive and clear views on the serious issues in our society. His last article “A summer of stabbings” was published in the October edition of Prospect magazine and is reproduced with their kind permission.
All of us at the Charity will miss him very much.