Blackburn born Author Wins National Book Award

A Blackburn author and educator has received a national award in recognition of her efforts to empower young people to speak out about county lines exploitation and knife crime.

Christina Gabbitas has collaborated with police forces, since 2019 calling for better education in schools regarding critical issues. 

The People’s Book Prize has honoured Christina with a special achievement award for her work. With a special mention of Listen Up, a poetry and lyric book that showcases 45 poems and lyrics from young people. The compilation focuses on county lines exploitation and associated knife crime.

Judges from The People’s Book Prize said:

“Christina’s vision has successfully blended creativity with literature, transforming it into a powerful tool for education and prevention through enduring partnerships with police forces.

Christina has been instrumental in delivering workshops in schools, that educate children about the dangers of exploitation and criminal activity, using storytelling and poetry as means of protection and inspiration.

Thousands of young people have participated in these initiatives, showcasing how literature can do more than simply entertain; it can actively inform, intervene, and help save lives.

The special achievement award from the People’s Book Prize acknowledges Christina Gabbitas’s remarkable ability to unite a diverse array of emerging writers into a meaningful volume while also directing resources to support children through the NSPCC. This recognition not only celebrates her dedication but also honours each young author whose courageous words resonate with truth and bravery, along with the publisher whose imagination and determination have produced something truly exceptional. Congratulations to Christina on this well-deserved accolade!”

Christina said;

“This award is truly an honour as it highlights the contributions of young people, amplifying their voices, especially those who have faced exploitation. I firmly believe in empowering children and young people to express themselves, and this initiative has successfully achieved that goal. What makes this even more gratifying is that it has been partially funded by proceeds of crime.”

The inspiration for this project came from, a student, who shared her poem following a collaborative session with Christina and the policing team. It was this that sparked the idea, leading to Christina voluntarily setting up the initiative.

Brayden Hartley from Blackburn did the borough proud having his poem published in the anthology that’s set to educate others. The Digital and Marketing Assistant was chosen as one of the forty young people featured and the only Lancashire poet in the book.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Phil Riley, said:

“Congratulations to Christina, this is a well-deserved award.

We appreciate all that she does to inspire children and young people in literature. County lines and knife crime are important topics that need awareness and to engage young people in this way is commendable. Everyone at BwD is also really proud of Brayden and it’s great to see his work highlighted in the anthology.”

Pastor Lorraine Jones Burrell MBE, who lost her son to a fatal stabbing and set up the Dwayne Simpson Foundation in his memory added:

“Christina’s Knowledge and spirit bringing emergency services and youth organisations to work together better is exceptional. This dynamic competition through creative writing is both rewarding and educationally empowering to all who read.”

Young people can enter their poem or story for Christina’s Listen Up 2, open until 30^th June: The prizes 1^st £500, 2^nd £250 and 3^rd Prize £150. More details here: https://missingstory.co.uk/competition/