THE PARENTS of a murdered Sherwood teenager have thrown their weight behind a nationwide campaign to tackle knife crime.

John Greensmith and Angela Spencer stood with former EastEnders actress Brooke Kinsella to launch Count Me In: Together We Can Stop Knife Crime in Nottingham.

The campaign arrived at Bulwell Academy yesterday and Brooke urged youngsters to join 18,000 people who have signed up to the campaign on social networking site Facebook.

John and Angela lost their son, Jason Spencer, 17, in 2007 when Reuben Valentine stabbed him seven times near his home. Valentine had fought with another youth before murdering Jason.

Mr Greensmith, Jason's stepfather, said: "We are fully behind this campaign, it's really important that local people get involved and support this."

Brooke's brother was stabbed to death in London in 2008 and she has been touring schools all week to launch the campaign.

Speaking at the Bulwell Academy, she said: "There are a small minority of young people who carry knives. By signing up to this campaign you are saying that it is wrong to carry a knife and that young people who want to be good and respect one another are the majority."

Founding members of charity Families Utd – made up of people affected by knife crime – are linked to the campaign.

The group was represented by Barry Mizen, whose son was killed in a fight in south-east London in 2008, along with Richard Taylor, father of 10-year-old Damilola Taylor, who was stabbed to death on a Peckham estate in 2000.

The campaign moved to the West Bridgford School in the afternoon.

Schools Minister and Gedling MP Vernon Coaker said: "I am very grateful to Families Utd for their support.

"From their tragic experiences, they have become the driving force behind this nationwide campaign to end knife crime."

Bulwell Academy pupils will learn more about the issue.

Rozanna Jacobsz, 14, said: "If one person joins the campaign on Facebook then others will see it and join as well."

Shamiso Chitulu, 14, said: "You do not need to carry a knife and saying it's for protection is just an excuse."

Graham Roberts, principal at the Bulwell Academy, said: "We have decided to support the Count Me In campaign, it is about supporting our students to make smart choices and recognising when they do."

To join the campaign go to www.facebook.com/countmein.

The Jason Spencer Trust is working to tackle knife crime at www.thejasonspencertrust.org.

michael.greenwell@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk