A charity rugby match at Reading Rugby Club was held on Sunday, April 14 in memory of murdered Reading teen Olly Stephens.
Reading Rugby Club hosted the game which was the third annual Olly Stephens Memorial Cup which raised money for three different charities.
Reading RFC U14 Raptors and Reading Abbey RFC U14s competed in the match in honour of the 13-year-old who was fatally stabbed in Emmer Green in January 2021.
Spectators were able to help raise money for the three local charities which were chosen by Olly’s family, No.5, The Ben Kinsella Trust and Parenting Special Children.
Reading borough council lead member for environmental services Karen Rowland said: “I’m delighted to be able to support this event and, more widely, Olly’s family’s ongoing work to reduce social media bullying and knife crime, We need our youth to understand that choosing to pick up a knife is never the answer.”
Prior to the event, Olly’s mother Amanda Stephens released a statement. She said: “We have chosen charities who lead from the heart to help our young people develop brighter, happier futures.
“I hope that the memorial cup day continues to benefit the next generation in every way possible.”
President of Reading RFC, Yasmin Miller added: “Giving children an accessible sporting space can mean so much to keep them safe and happy. I’m proud that we as a club continue to offer this and have the opportunity to share this message through the Olly Stephens Memorial Cup.”
