A fishing fundraising event in memory of Olly Stephens is set to take place next month.
Anglers at Southlake, Woodley, will get together over the weekend of September 23-25 to raise money for youth charities and show off the sport to younger residents.
The idea came after discussions with club member Stuart Stephens, the father of Olly Stephens, who was murdered at Bugs Bottom in January 2021.
Olly, 13, was fatally stabbed following an online row with two teenage boys.
He had been lured to Bugs Bottom on social media by a teenage girl.
Proceeds from the event will go to local charities that help vulnerable youngsters in need of support and it is hoped the weekend will attract young people to the sport.
Ian Foley, head bailiff at Southlake Angling Society, said: “As part of our charity event we want to introduce the sport to younger people in the area.
“We get a lot of kids coming around the lakes that are like ‘did you catch that in here, mister?’
“We thought we could use the charity match, along with an open day to introduce the sport to local youngsters.
“It fits well with Stuart’s focus on getting help to young kids in the area and getting them out, get involved in hobbies, using something to guide them through life.
“It's something that helps me with my mental well-being. It helps me get out in the fresh air and it basically helps you get through all the stresses of life, as much as it's about catching a fish and enjoying that side of it, it's about being out there and having a relaxing time.
“If you can get kids interested in fishing, it gives them something that they can get invested in something to get excited about, gets them off the streets, gives them something to do with their time.”
Ian said the club ‘treasure’ the fish, and all fish caught are treated with medicine after they are caught.
The Olly Stephens Charity Memorial Match will see anglers face off over the course of the weekend, with plenty of incentives for young people to come along and get involved.
A BBQ is available on Saturday, September 24, at The Waterside pub in Woodley, where the event is taking place, and youngsters under 16 eat free.
There will also be angling tutorials for interested local youths who can have a go at catching fish.
As well as this, there will be a raffle with some amazing prizes pledged by local businesses ‘tripping over themselves’ to help out, including an overnight stay in a luxury barn conversion, a passenger test drive in a Lamborghini, a 48-hour hot tub lease and much more.
Funds from the raffle and competition entry fees will go to the Olly Stephens fundraising page, from where cash will be diverted to worthy causes including Grassrootz, parenting special children, No5 hub and the Ben Kinsella trust.
Olly’s fundraising page can be found here.
Details on how to donate to the event and more information on the weekend can be found by emailing Jim Morris at clubsec@southlakeangling.co.uk
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