The mother of a murdered teenager, who turned a personal tragedy into a crusade to change society for the better, has been nominated for yet another award.

New Malden resident Tracey Ford is the founder of the Croydon-based Jags Foundation, named in memory of her 17-year-old son, James Andre Smartt-Ford, who was gunned down during a Streatham ice rink disco on February, 3, 2007.

Although his killer has never been found, Ms Ford has taken on a full-time role campaigning against youth violence with her Croydon-based community interest company.

Ms Ford’s accolades include being a finalist in Lorraine Kelly’s inspirational women of the year awards, and appearing on JustGiving founder Zarine Kharas’s happy list.

Now the Back2Black organisation, as part of a celebration of black history month in October, has nominated her for a gong.

She said: “It’s been quite humbling and quite surprising. I think it’s really important that we’re being recognised for the work we’re doing in advocating for young people, and talking about the destruction that youth violence does to families like mine – but also to wider society.

“The fact that someone is speaking up for young people and talking about this – it’s my full-time occupation.

“I think there is a crisis. They don’t have that belief. They believe what they’re fed by their peers, that they don’t belong.

“There’s something there that needs addressing. Young people need to be told that people care about what they feel.”

A spokesman from Back2Black said: “Despite what life has thrown at Tracey, living with the memory every day of her son, she gets up early and goes to bed late.

“She never turns off her phone and answers all calls and messages, and responds to emails straight away, working evenings and weekends with one goal in mind – helping to save another young person’s life.”

A winner will be announced at an awards ceremony in central London on Sunday, October 4.

James, who was known fondly to friends and family as Dre, was a former pupil at Beverley Boys’ School, now called Coombe Boys’ School. He had hoped to study at Guildford College before joining his mother’s mortgage practice.

The Metropolitan Police is still offering a reward of up to £20,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest and prosecution of those responsible for his death. Anyone with any information is asked to call the police on 020 8785 8251.