Mural at Downsview School, Hackney. Pic: Tevin Robinson

A group of ten school friends came together to brighten up Hackney by painting a 20-foot long mural.

The Clapton Girl’s Technology College students spent last weekend creating a wall painting across the wall of a local special needs school, Downsview, in Downs Road.

The girls, who call themselves ‘Tick for Change,’ were backed by charity Envision to challenge people’s negative perceptions of their borough.

An idea which started off as a small group of people from the school wanting to help eventually ended up being a community project.

Team leader Rashida Khanom, 16, said: “Many people came to see the project when it was finished and they loved it. They thought that it made the wall brighter and that the girls should continue the good work there doing. The best experience of my life, I really enjoyed being team leader.”

The mural took 10 months to complete and received funding of £500 from ‘Envision’s Pitch4Change’ award scheme. Telecommunications provider, O2 also donated an extra £300 to the girls.

They received further funding from the college. Head teacher, Shirleyanne Sullivan, says, “I think the project is a great thing for the school and the Hackney community.”

Additional reporting by Tevin Robinson