Highlights from 2021 in pictures

To all our friends and supporters. Wishing you all a very happy New Year.

Pictured below are some of our highlights from 2021 – all inspired by, and in memory of our wonderful Oliver (Olly to so many of his friends).

A beautiful window on Worthing Pier was unveiled this summer. It was designed by Xavier Smales, one of Oliver’s best friends from school and depicts Oliver winning the **Worthing ‘Oranges and Lemons’ Flingathon** two years running. It includes the orange Olly’s Future ‘love and light’ logo and a shooting star.

Composer Jonathan Brigg worked with the Sussex Folk Orchestra to compose a symphony inspired by Oliver, which raised £700 in aid of Olly’s Future. The World Premier of ‘Sea Faring Folk’ on Sunday, October 10th, took place at the medieval Sullington Barn, West Sussex, and was part of the ‘Adopt A Composer’ competition. Eileen Sephton and her folk orchestra were one of just seven orchestras to be picked from around the country to work with a professional composer/conductor. The music moved many of us to tears. The recording of the concert will be aired by **BBC Radio Three this month.** More details to follow.

An enormous thank you to Steve, Chris (Oliver’s dad, 2nd from left), Jonny, Dave and Graham (not pictured here) who make up the **Duck Pond Sailors** shanty group. They’ve raised more than £2,000 from performances this year, such as at the Elderflower Fields Festival, despite Covid restrictions.

Some of the Steering Group braved the London crowds for a birthday celebration in November.

The infamous **London to Worthing Bike Ride** in August which nearly finished some of them off but raised a further £3,000 for our charity. Oliver was spurring them on all the way (probably laughing too).

Former Lord Mayor of London William Russell presented Emmanuel Odujebe with the **Oliver Hare Cup** for being ‘Best Musician of the Christ Hospital School Band’ during Speech Day in July. Every year the prize, which was set up by the Worshipful Company of World Traders, is presented by the Lord Mayor of London in memory of Oliver who was delighted to be Drum Major of the renowned marching band for many years.

We are proud to have delivered our 90-minute online suicide prevention training to 2,000 participants from all walks of life. Co-developer Rose Allett and I adapted our face-to-face training during the first Covid lockdown. Our team of 12 – trainers, emotional support, and IT experts – have now equipped people from all around the world, via Zoom, with vital skills to help save a life. If you would like to attend a free session, go to www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/talking-about-suicide-ten-tools-online-training-for-anyone-tickets-118287259377

Or if you would like to be funded to attend another suicide prevention course, such as ASIST, please email [email protected]. Donations to our charity have enabled us to offer these free places to learn life-saving skills.

Thanks to funding from the Brititsh Medical Association, we are teaching the doctors of tomorrow how to better care for patients and themselves. Our Dr SAMS (Suicide Awareness in Medical Students) initiative is now part of the curriculum for first year students and Brighton and Sussex, Exeter and Kent and Medway medical schools. More med schools are following their lead.

This year we have also worked with Coventry and Warkwickshire, South West London and Sefton NHS Trusts and the Zero Suicide Alliance to roll out our PRACTISE HOPE primary care initiative to bring about a culture change in how GP practices support and help 10 – 25 year old with thoughts of suicide or self-harm. For more information go to https://ollysfuture.org.uk/practise-hope/

Magnus is now a very energetic and happy one year old. Oliver’s brother Sam and his Peruvian girlfriend Diana are enjoying family life very much. Myself and Chris are delighted to be first time grandparents. We know Oliver would have made a wonderful uncle and would have loved speaking Spanish to Diana and Magnus, who will grow up bilingual.

Wishing you a year of peace and fulfilment, as well as the happiness that comes with loving others and knowing you are loved, no matter how great the distance between you. Ann Feloy.

Highlights from 2021 in pictures

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