A NEW trust has been launched in honour of schoolboy Olly Stephens to support young people and help tackle online bullying.
Olly Stephens lived with his dad, Stuart, and his mum, Amanda, in Caversham, Reading, until four years ago, when he was murdered in an attack by two other teenage boys.
He was stabbed in the back and the chest during the attack on January 3, 2021.
Since his passing, Olly has been remembered as a loving and charming boy who had a passion for music.
Following years of campaign work and advocacy, his parents have now launched a trust in his name to honour his memory, called Olly’s Work.
The trust will help raise awareness of the dangers of knife crime and online bullying, continuing their work.
Following the launch on Wednesday, November 19, money from a Santa’s grotto at the Kingdom Rooms showroom in Armour Hill, Tilehurst, will be raised for the trust, and it has already worked with Starting Point, a mentoring and support organisation for young people.
Children supported by Starting Point helped design the logo and promotional material for the trust.
It also comes after a mural honouring Olly’s memory, created by street artist Peachy, was unveiled at Emmer Green Primary School in June last year.
There is also the Armoured Heart sculpture that was installed at The Oracle Riverside in May 2023, led by Reading’s Community Safety Partnership and which saw involvement from Mr and Mrs Stephens.
Matt Rodda, the Labour MP for Reading Central, who attended the launch event, said: “It was a privilege to attend the launch of the trust, which is hoping to help raise awareness of the dangers of knife crime and bullying on social media.
“It is impossible to imagine what Amanda and Stuart and Olly’s family and friends have been through, and I want to pay tribute to them.”
Mrs Stephens said: “We cannot thank Simon Ray from Starting Point enough, and the young people who have created us an Olly’s Work logo, leaflet, business cards, pull-up banners, slide deck, QR code, web pages and wristbands.
“Their creativity and design have allowed us a very personalised brand design and marketing for our work in the future.
“Having this help has given us the confidence to present in Reading secondary schools and start to build our own charity for the future.
“I do believe without this support and guidance, we would not be where we are today.
“The young people involved, by listening to what we hoped Olly’s Work would be, pulled out ideas that we hadn’t realised were fundamental to Olly’s Work: your life matters, your potential is limitless, your joy is possible when we stand together.”
