On a Sunny day on 10th June 2015, our beautiful boy Stefan was brutally stabbed and killed as he a hung out with friends in a local park.
He died that same evening and our lives have never been the same since.
Stefan was such a playful, fun, loving and intelligent 18 year old with his whole life ahead of him, to lose him in such a violent way has been nothing but heart breaking.
The following months and years to follow have been a living nightmare. We went from planning his future to planning his funeral, overnight.
We were suddenly uniquely placed to see first hand where families going through the same trauma lacked and needed support during this devastating journey. So, in 2016 as a family we set up a peer support group (Love and Loss) for others, where we come together in a safe non- judgemental space offering emotional support and community.
This year 2024, we have become a UK registered charity and wish to widen our impact to help more families, unfortunately our experience is not unique. We will provide not just emotional support but provide access to therapies, financial assistance for funeral costs and other required support. We are also developing a programme to particularly support young people who have experience whether directly or indirectly a bereavement of a peer, through violence. This will include work around trauma, keeping safe, grief and be supported by qualified counsellors, helping young people to navigate the issue
As of August 2024, there have been approximately 83 recorded homicide deaths due to violent crime in London. This figure is part of a broader trend that includes significant increases in knife crime and other violent offenses in the city. London has seen a marked rise in violent crime, including a 38% increase in knife crimes since 2016, which has become a significant issue in the city's ongoing efforts to combat crime other violent offenses in the city. London has seen a marked rise in violent crime. Not only does this tragically mean so many lives being cut short it leave so many children, parents, brothers, sisters grieving and suffering the on-going affects of losing a loved one in this way.
We need your support to help us carry out this important work as unfortunately this is a widespread problem with many families not getting the support needed to work through such a devastating journey, and too many young people are losing their peers with no support in place by schools/colleges/education institutions, Our programme will support those young people.
Thank you in advance for your support.