A CHARITY founded by a Bournemouth woman whose son was stabbed to death is making great strides in the fight against knife crime.

Turn Your Back UK (TYBUK) is now working in prisons and youth clubs in a bid to educate offenders as well as young members of society about the dangers of carrying knives.

And it is now devising a workshop which will be taken into schools and youth clubs from the autumn.

TYBUK was founded by Jane Ormerod following the shocking death of her son, Nicholas, three years ago.

The 29-year-old died in a Boscombe street after being fatally stabbed following an argument in a flat.

His attacker, alcoholic Mark Haylock, received a prison sentence of eight years and is due for release next year after serving just half his sentence.

Jane, of Cranleigh Road, Southbourne, is channelling her grief into the charity in a bid to prevent tragedies in the future.

She said: “I was nervous at first when I went into Portland prison to talk to people who had committed knife offences but in order to find out why people use knives, you have to talk to the ones that use them.

“A lot of it is drugs related or knives are used for robbery. I showed them all a video of Nicholas and they were all sorry that I had lost my son and they all think the sentence given to Haylock was insulting.”

TYBUK will be attending events across Dorset this summer including carnivals and fun days in a bid to promote their message that it is dangerous to carry knives and to raise vital funds.

“If you carry a knife you will either hurt someone or get hurt yourself,” said Jane. “We are also hoping to get involved in more education initiatives.

“Education starts in the home. Do you know how many knives you’ve got in the drawer? Would you notice if one was missing? Children need to be taught that knives stay in the house.”

There are also plans for the charity to examine the way knives are sold to ensure they do not fall into the wrong hands.

Jane is urging the public to support the charity financially, either at events, or to donate through their website, tybuk.com