A FAMILY fun day in memory of Olly Stephens is being held this weekend to encourage young people and children to spend time away from screens and social media.

Olly was tragically killed at the age of 13 on January 3, 2021, at Bugs Bottom, Reading, after he had been lured to the field by a 14-year-old girl and attacked by two boys, aged 13 and 14, the younger of whom was armed with a knife.

Considerable scrutiny was paid to the role played by social media and knife culture in the attack, with Olly’s parents, Amanda and Stuart, subsequently calling for more stringent regulation of social media companies.

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Now, Olly’s family want to help other young people spend less time on social media by picking up a new hobby, such as fishing.

Reading Chronicle: Olly Stephens at the lake where his father taught him how to fishOlly Stephens at the lake where his father taught him how to fish (Image: Stuart Stephens)

In memory of Olly, a fun day where young people can learn to fish and enjoy a BBQ, free of charge, will take place at the Southlake Angling Society and the Waterside Pub on Saturday (September 2) from 10am until 4pm.

There will be fishing sessions, a mega raffle, a silent auction, a BBQ, an ice cream van, and a second-hand tackle stall.

“The idea is to introduce the sport and to get them away from their Xbox and their phones and get into the fresh air with a new hobby,” said Amanda.

“We were blind-sided by what was coming through social media with Olly and this secret world that children are living in.

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“That they can be attacked 24/7 under your roof, to this day, still shocks us.”

This is the second year the event will be held and Amanda hopes to see an increase in attendance and money raised for charity.

The chosen charities are No.5 Young People, Parenting Special Children, and The Ben Kinsella Trust.

“Last year we had 50 children learn to fish for the first time,” she said. “We are hoping we will see more this year.

“We also raised £6,600 for charity which was doubled by another charity – it was brilliant.

“No.5 Young People and Parenting Special Children are both Reading-based and helped us with Olly as he was diagnosed with autism when he started secondary school, and The Ben Kinsella Trust is an anti-knife crime charity.”

Reading Chronicle: Olly as a young boy with a fresh catch!Olly as a young boy with a fresh catch! (Image: Stuart Stephens)

Amanda added that Southlake Angling Society had offered to help after Olly was taken as Stuart is a member and had taught Olly and his sister to fish.

She said: “Stuart said without his fishing he would worry about his mental health, he’s in the fresh air and the calmness.

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“The society do not need to do this but they do it out of the kindness of their hearts.

“Everyone’s welcome, please come along if you can.”

For more information on the open day, visit the South Lake Angling website.