WINNER: THE STEPHENS FAMILY SPONSORED BY THE ORACLE
The parents of young teenager Olly Stephens, who was tragically murdered aged 13 in Reading in 2021, have worked tirelessly to campaign for justice, to help bring in legislation around social media to protect children and to raise money for anti knife crime charities.
Their nominator said: “It is inspiring that, despite a devastating personal loss, they are working so hard to protect other children.
“Amanda and Stuart lost their son Olly to knife crime. Every family’s worst nightmare.
“Since their sudden and horrific loss, Amanda and Stuart Stephen’s didn’t go into themselves or sit quietly by, but instead have continuously campaigned so that other parents’ children are safe in the online space and in their communities.
“Supporting causes across Berkshire, sharing their story with other families, constantly revisiting their pain so that we might be saved from experiencing what they have been through,” they said.
Olly’s mum, Amanda, and his sister Mia were in attendance to collect the award.
“I’m still in shock, I had no idea that we were going to win,” said Mia.
“We’ve been surrounded today by so many people who are so hard working and have put in so much work doing what they can for the community so it’s surreal to win.”
Amanda said: “We’ve been in our own bubble after what happened and have just tried to survive and keep going. To be recognised is so wonderful. We’re surrounded by so many supportive people.
“The support of the community I think is what has kept us going.
“I look back and we were so naive to the world that our children are growing up in. We want every child in the whole of the UK to have training and education on life skills.”
