Family and friends of stabbed teen pay tribute at games

The father of a teenager who died after he was stabbed on a crowded dance floor has paid tribute to his son at a charity games day named in his memory.

Martin Cosser, from Milford, Surrey, said it was moving to see so many people remembering his son’s life at the inaugural Charlie's Games.

He said: “My wife and I, we just found each other at one point, and we just couldn’t stop crying. It was moving to see so many people there, celebrating - or remembering, I should say - Charlie and his life.”

Charlie Cosser, 17, died two days after being attacked at a party in Warnham, West Sussex, in July 2023.

Since his death, Charlie's family have set up Charlie’s Promise, a charity to tackle knife crime and help ensure other children realise the dangers.

Mr Cosser said the charity was using the family’s “real, lived, life experiences” to promote their message.

He said: “The talks we’ve done so far with the schools have been so impactful, making a massive difference, and that’s what we’re about.”

The charity’s first Charlie’s Games was held on Saturday at Charterhouse School, near Godalming, where Charlie was an apprentice groundsman.

Mr Cosser said: “I did a tribute to Charlie. I stood there and everyone was having so much fun and I thought it’s great they’re having fun, but we’ve got to remember why we’re here as well.

“So we played a four-minute video montage of Charlie and photos and a little bit of sad music in the background and people sort of stopped and – wow. We’re here because a little boy’s lost his life. We must never forget that.”

He said he hoped Charlie's Games would become an annual event.

Yura Varybrus, 17, was jailed for life in June after being found guilty of Charlie's murder.

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