SOCIETY CAMPAIGNERS Fundraisers Religious Leaders Journalists Activists Charity Administrators

Gun crime, drug use, homelessness, domestic violence, racial tensions,health problems, poverty ...they're all on London's social reform agenda - andit isn't just politicians who are trying to get things put right. Here's adossier of do-gooders who are determined to make a difference

THE TOP FIVE

Shami Chakrabarti, 38 LIBERTY, DIRECTOR Once dubbed "an anarchist in abarrister's wig", Chakrabarti attracts admiration and revulsion in equalmeasure. Last year she beat Blair, Cameron and Geldof in a public poll ofBritain's most inspiring political figures. She is passionately against IDcards and increased detention periods for terror prisoners.

See also Politics, Law

Frank Field, 55 POLITICIAN The MP for Birkenhead is a consistent critic of allparties for welfare and family policies that promote dependency. A one-manthink tank using primary research and, more importantly, primary thinking -identifying flaws in the welfare system that need to be addressed. Both Leftand Right listen. Tony Blair made him a welfare minister in 1997 in a bid toshake up the system but he clashed with the then Secretary of State HarrietHarman, who had Gordon Brown's backing. He never returned to ministerial officebut his thinking on promoting the married family has been influential withDavid Cameron.

Dr David Green, 56 CIVITAS, DIRECTOR A think-tank that's a do-tank. In 2004Green co-founded the New Model School Company. Civitas subscribers invested inbuilding a "no frills" school run without government interference. Parents arenow scrabbling to get on the waiting list of Maple Walk School in Kensal Town.

Camila Batmanghelidjh, 43 KIDS' COMPANY, FOUNDER Politicians talk a lot abouthelping dysfunctional children but this woman actually does something. Everyyear the charity - which the Iranian-born pyschotherapist remortgaged her housein 1996 to set up - raises [pounds sterling]5m to help 500 children. She has saved thousands ofchildren destined for a life of crime, violence and drug abuse. Archbishop ofCanterbury the latest admirer.

Arpad Busson, 44 ARK, FOUNDER No one is better at persuading London'sshimmerati to part with money. His summer party this year raised [pounds sterling]14m, BillClinton spoke and Prince performed. ARK funds African and Eastern Europeanorphanages and has pledged to build 12 city academies. At the vanguard ofmodern philanthropy, could Busson usher in a renaissance of Victorian-styledonating?

Dr Richard Dawkins, 66 SCIENTIST The outspoken atheist and secular humanistwhose books - The Selfish Gene (1976), suggesting humans are mere vehicles forgene survival, and The God of Delusion, refuting God's existence - lectures andwebsite cause outrage and inspiration to millions. A rather vain man known asDarwin's Rottweiler

Sir Peter Lampl, 59 SUTTON TRUST, FOUNDER Gave up banking career to help …

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Publication information: Article title: SOCIETY CAMPAIGNERS Fundraisers Religious Leaders Journalists Activists Charity Administrators. Contributors: Not available. Newspaper title: The Evening Standard (London, England). Publication date: October 9, 2007. Page number: 40. © Not available. COPYRIGHT 2007 Gale Group.

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