The awards programme created by the Damilola Taylor Trust as a legacy project for all the young people lost to youth violence in London is now in its fourth year and the event has gone from strength to strength in this time.

The line up this year includes: Maverick Sabre, Ms Dynamite, Diversity, Alexa Goddard, The ACM Choir, Rita Ora and The Brit School Graduation class 2012.

Gary Trowsdale – MD of the Damilola Taylor Trust said: “We are absolutely delighted to be staging the awards show at the most celebrated indoor music venue in the country – We feel that celebrating the great young people of London in the way that we do deserves the highest stage, and so sharing the same one as The Brits will make it extra special for us. The venue really is exceptional and the staff who make it tick behind the scenes have really embraced what our project is all about, so we hope the venue will become home to the awards for many years to come”.

Rebecca Kane, General Manager of The O2 commented: “It is wonderful that the Spirit of London Awards has come to our venue. The awards represent all that is great about this great city of ours, so having them under our roof means a lot to all of us connected with the venue.”

The lead dancer and choreographer of Diversity, Ashley Banjo, said “This will be the third time we have performed at the awards and it is an extra special thrill this year that they are being staged at a venue that means so much to Diversity. I am sure they will do the venue justice. Until you have witnessed a Spirit of London Awards show you just cannot imagine the emotion and passion involved. We can’t wait!”

Finally, Prime Minister David Cameron commented: “These awards represent everything that is great about the young people of our country. They are a credit to their community and to their city and I am delighted to see what a fantastic job the Damilola Taylor Trust has done in the way the project now has the young people who have come through the awards actually running the event. An extraordinary achievement and a fitting finale to what has been an amazing year for our capital city.”

The award categories are:

•    The UK Young Campaigner of the Year (National Award)
•    London Community Champions
•    Young London hero
•    Achievement through Music
•    Achievement through the Arts
•    Achievement through Education
•    Achievement through Sport
•    Achievement through Media
•    Achievement through Fashion
•    Young Business Entrepreneur
•    London Legend – An iconic Londoner
(previous winners 2009 Sir Michael Caine – 2010 Barbara Windsor – 2011 Harry Redknapp)

To find out more about this year’s Spirit of London Awards (SOLA) please visit www.spiritoflondonawards.com