Concert raises £1,500 in memory of murdered teen Olly Stephens

A CHARITY concert in memory of murdered schoolboy Olly Stephens held in Emmer Green has raised more than £1,500.

More than 200 people attended Olly’s Work Community Concert held in the hall at Highdown School, in Surley Row.

The event, held on Saturday, March 7, was in aid of the Olly’s Work charitable trust.

Olly, 13, was murdered by two other boys of the same age, in Bugs Bottom, open parkland near his home in Emmer Green in 2021, following an online dispute.

Since his death, Olly’s parents, Stuart and Amanda, have dedicated themselves to protecting young people from knife crime and the dangers of social media.

The concert was hosted by trust chair Katy Trigg and Martyn Strong, a trustee of the charity.

The pair told of their memories of Olly as well as the work that the charity does to help keep young people safe online and in the community.

Helen Strong, who is a close family friend, said: “We wanted to help raise money for the Stephens’s but we were not able to jump out of a plane or run a marathon.

“We decided to use our love of music to put on a concert with the assistance of local musicians.

“The atmosphere was, despite the tragic circumstances, full of hope and love.

“With the amazing talent on show from the school, local musicians and raising over £1,500 for the charity, there was a real sense of community and hope.”

The Strongs invited Vocalese, a 60-member community choir from Caversham, run by Richard Whennell, to perform.

Vocalese opened the concert with Olly’s favourite song, Starman by David Bowie, which Mr Whennell had organised specially for the occasion.

The choir also performed songs, including Shine by Take That, Help! by the Beatles and Baba Yetu (The Lord’s Prayer in Swahili).

Other performers included singer/songwriter and pianist, Lisa Winship, from Caversham Park, and a local singing teacher and performer, Julie Kench, who performed Barbara Streisand’s The Way We Were.

Mr Strong performed his own song, Like Starlight, which contained memories of happy times spent by the Strong and Stephens’ families, and The Rainbow Connection by Kermit the Frog, renditions which had the audience in both laughter and tears.

Mr Stephens closed the concert, telling of his son and why Starman was his favourite song.

The Strongs also organised a prize draw, with everyone who bought ticket to the concert being entered.

The winners, Hannah and Barney Smith, were gifted a hamper full of donations from local businesses, including alcohol, chocolate and beauty products.

Olly’s Work is hoping to make their community concert an annual event.

Mrs Stephens said: “Olly’s Work feel that the event was a success all round, heartwarming, full of talent and an opportunity for many to perform.

“We hope to run another musical show next year and welcome interest from talented local students to sing and entertain us all.”

In January, on the fifth anniversary of Olly’s death, his parents called for greater social media “accountability”.

Mr Stephens said: “Things need to change. There needs to be culpability, there needs to be accountability.

“If you say something on social media and someone dies as a result of it, you should be held accountable.”