Calling London - David Cohen

When investigative journalist David Cohen was asked by his editor Geordie Greig to write a series of pieces on poverty in London, neither knew how dark a shadow they would uncover. The response from readers was unprecedented, and those articles led to a campaign which in turn led to a Dispossessed Fund. Young and old sent their pocket money and pensions, momentum grew, celebrities and corporations began to pledge huge sums which the government then promised to match. Originally setting a target of 1 million, the fund now stands at 7.2 million and keeps on rising. The stories of the Dispossessed had become, as Prince William said, 'a call to arms', leading to a permanent legacy for London. Here is the story of how a city came to know and embrace its shadow, and how ordinary people transformed the lives of neighbours they had never met.