About PL9

PL9, Founded in a Memory of a Young Man

PL9 is a charitable organization founded in memory of a young man named Philip Lamin. The P represents Philip, the L for Lamin, and the 9 represents his football jersey.

Philip was an avid football fan, devoted and passionate to the Arsenal Football Club since he was two years old. Prior to his death, Philip was scouted to play football for Fulham’s under-16 team.

Philip was playing soccer with his friends on the 5th of FEBRUARY 2013 when he scored a goal and collapsed. His friends were perplexed as to why, and they immediately requested assistance. After receiving the emergency call, an ambulance was dispatched almost immediately. Philip was rushed to the hospital, where doctors did everything they could to save his life, but sadly, he did not survive. This was a heartbreaking moment for his family and friends, especially his mother Juliet Lamin, who raised him alone.

Philip was also a student at the Bexleyheath Academy, so he had many friends from both Bexley and London. It was no surprise that his untimely death left a large void in the lives of his friends, who, at that point began travelling to his home in Belvedere, London Borough of Bexley, daily.

Philip Lamin
Philip and Mum

How PL9 Was Founded

It was during this gathering of approximately 20 to 25 young people at his home that the idea of forming a youth group in his memory at a location where they could meet and receive grief support arose. The group’s original goal of assisting Philip’s friends in positively grieving quickly evolved into a platform for raising awareness about cardiac diseases among the young people aged 14 to 35 who die each week of sudden cardiac arrest.

The support group evolved into a weekly gathering of Bexley youths meeting to discuss other issues affecting their generation. PL9 has since grown into a larger platform for youths, with students from 17 different schools visiting our project in Nando Bexleyheath. Following the event, each attendee youth participates in a variety of discussions and is provided with food and beverages.