New Mayor of Islington Cllr Kat Fletcher picked an issue of “critical” importance to Islington when deciding her mayoral charity for the year.

Cllr Fletcher has chosen the Ben Kinsella Trust, which fights knife crime. Ben was murdered near his home in Holloway in 2008.

Cllr Fletcher said: “I am delighted to become the Mayor of Islington, which really is a tremendous honour.

“Islington is such a great place to live, and the mayor has a fortunate opportunity to meet so many local people and community groups, seeing first-hand the fantastic contributions they make to our borough.

“I am especially pleased that I will be able to help support the Ben Kinsella Trust as the Mayor’s charity this year. Tackling knife crime and keeping our young people safe are massive priorities for the council, and the Ben Kinsella Trust does invaluable work in this area.”

Cllr Fletcher, who lives in Tufnell Park, was first elected in a by-election in March 2013 and then re-elected the year after. Last year she became deputy mayor and served as vice chair of the council’s planning committee.

The 36-year-old is a councillor for St George’s ward, in the west of the borough.

Caledonian ward councillor Una O’Halloran is her deputy and her consort is Melanie Toogood, the former vicar of St George of All Saints in Tufnell Park.

• Keywords
  KNIFE CRIME, CHARITY
• Geographical keyword
  TUFNELL PARK
• Persons keyword
  Mayor Of Islington, Ben Kinsella Trust, Kat Fletcher