A group of young female students who have had brushes with the law have graduated from courses at a charity that helps vulnerable women change their lives.

It was always going to be a day to remember for the 50 graduating women, aged between 17 and 24.

But the ceremony was made even more memorable when the charity, Clean Break, based in Patshull Road, Kentish Town, was presented with a cheque for £15,000 by Amy Winehouse’s father Mitch and stepmother Jane, on behalf of the Amy Winehouse Foundation.

The foundation was set up by the family to support and educate vulnerable women in memory of the 27-year-old singer after she died in 2011 of alcohol poisoning.

Jane Winehouse said the charity, which puts on drama productions as well as running education courses for female offenders, was “a good fit” for the foundation.

She said: “It is always so inspiring to meet people who have overcome their problems and work to change their lives, rebuild relationships and make sense of their future.”

In a statement, Mitch Winehouse said: “Sharing Clean Break’s students’ graduation was moving and inspiring. I thought how much Amy would have loved Clean Break and what they achieve.”