The meaning behind a mural to Olly Stephens, painted at his former school, has been revealed by his mother.
On January 3, 2021, in Bugs Bottom in Emmer Green, the 13-year-old was fatally stabbed by a boy the same age.
In tribute, street artist Peachy Official created the giant artwork working with Emmer Green Primary School and Olly’s parents, Stuart and Amanda.
“One stencil is from a picture of his first day at school aged four, and it’s just so amazing, he’s captured it so well, his eyes, his cheeks and smile. It clutches at your heart, it’s uncanny,” Mrs Stephens said.
Next to the stencil of Olly and a blue balloon is a piece inspired by a painting the youngster made in his final year of primary school, stating Music Moves You and You Can Do It With Music.
“We found it in his drawers hidden with paints after he passed,” Mrs Stephens said. “We also found an Eminem CD. He always loved music and lots of different genres.
“Stuart and I grew up in the 1980s, and he would listen to all the music we would have listened to. It was only after he passed we realised he had quite a big playlist.”
A large rose and a rainbow is a reflection of Olly’s funeral, held at Reading Crematorium with a reception at St Barnabas Church in Emmer Green.
Mrs Stephens said: “Red roses have become a symbol for Olly. They were laid on the hearse for his funeral, and red roses were laid when a memorial bench was installed for him at Bugs Bottom.
“A rainbow broke out on his funeral day.”
Since the conviction of the boy who stabbed Olly, and a 14 year-old male accomplice and a 14-year-old girl who lured Olly to his death, it has been stated that activities on social media played a role in the events.
His parents continue to campaign for controls on access to harmful content for children, with the passage of the Online Safety Act in October 2023.
Mrs Stephens said: “We thought for his own safety we would give him a phone. It’s the worst thing we could have ever done.
“For any child it’s the online access the social media platforms, there’s no protection at all.”
She also mentioned that Olly struggled with autism, but received support from Parenting Special Children, a charity based in Glebe Road, Katesgrove.
“They’re a godsend for helping neurodiverse children.”
The couple have also raised money for that charity and No.5.
Negotiations for the creation of the mural began in November 2021.
Mrs Stephens thanked Emmer Green Primary headteacher Tonya Crossman and Ellie Heydon, one of Olly’s former teachers, who gave permission for the work to go ahead.
Addressing Peachy, Mrs Stephens said: “We can’t thank him enough, it’s so wonderful what he’s done. He’s so creative, the way he’s pulled it together is brilliant, the colour and vibrancy sums up Olly so well.”
The mural is due to be revealed to the public from 11.30am to 3pm on Saturday, June 22.
Guests arriving by car have been urged to park at the car park past the Emmer Green Youth and Community Centre in St Barnabas Road.
